Cold Weather Likely Before Gas Restoration Is Complete

NORTH ANDOVER, MA -- The National Guard will hand out 7,000 hotplates and 24,000 space heaters to Lawrence, Andover and North Andover residents affected by last week's gas explosions and fires, Columbia Gas of Massachusetts and Gov. Charlie Baker said Friday. It was the clearest signal yet that the restoration of gas service to thousands of residents and hundreds of businesses in the community could extend well into the fall.

The announcement was made as part of the unveiling of a recovery plan Friday. Baker also ordered Columbia Gas to hire a recovery czar. The utility tapped Captain Joseph Albanese, a retired Navy Seabee, to fill the roll. Albanese said his role would be to oversee "command, control and communication" of the recovery effort.

Baker said 8,527 customers in the three communities are still without gas service, but that the goal is to have service restored "in the next few weeks." But the work could involve "traffic headaches," warned Lawrence Mayor Dan Rivera.

Hotplate distribution could start as soon as Saturday, with plans to begin distributing space heaters on Monday. Because of the fire hazard associated with space heaters, electricians will conduct inspections before they are installed in homes.

Skilled Worker Shortage

Columbia Gas workers have been starting their days at 7 am and working nonstop until 10 pm in an effort to reconnect homes in the so-called unaffected areas of Lawrence, Andover and North Andover that had their gas service disconnected since the Sept. 13 explosions. But even those long hours may not be enough as the effort moves to restoring service in the affected areas, a more laborious process that includes replacing and repairing underground gas mains.

On Thursday, Baker said the restoration effort will require hundreds of additional plumbers, electricians and building inspectors on top of the small army of utility workers already working in town. The affected area in the three communities includes 8,600 individual gas meters that need to be reconnected and more than 40 miles of gas lines that need to be repaired

Baker met Thursday with the more than 40 North Andover business owners still without gas service, days after a similar meeting with more than 100 Andover business owners who have not been able to reopen since the gas explosions damaged or destroyed more than 60 buildings in the three communities, injured more than two dozen people and left one man dead.

Baker said his administration was trying to get National Grid to reach an agreement with the more than 1,100 utility workers who have been locked out for three months.

Friday's Developments In The Recovery Effort

• Columbia Gas will host a job fair on Saturday, Sept. 22, from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. at Greater Lawrence Technical High School at 57 River Road in Andover to hire skilled workers for the recovery effort. The company has an immediate need for plumbers, electricians, customer service representatives and IT professionals to assist in the recovery effort.
• Columbia Gas of Massachusetts withdrew a request to raise rates for customers by $33.2 million. Earlier this year the company had sought state approval for a rate increase for its 321,000 customers in Massachusetts beginning Nov. 1. "Our team is fully committed to restoring the affected communities, rebuilding peace of mind and reestablishing trust in our company," Columbia Gas of Massachusetts President Steve Bryant said in a statement. "This action is fully necessary at a time when we must maintain our focus on supporting our customers."

More Coverage:

• Governor Promises Support To Merrimack Valley Businesses
• Residents Not Warm On Idea Of Weeks Without Gas
• Lawsuit Claims Columbia Gas Knew Of $27 Million In Needed Repairs

Where To Get Help In Andover

Customers in the unaffected area who still don't have gas service should call call Columbia at 866-388-3239.

There is a Recovery Resource Center for residents of Lawrence, Andover and North Andover at the Elks Lodge at 652 Andover Street in Lawrence. The center will be open from noon to 7 pm on Friday. The center is staffed by representatives of municipal and state agencies as well as the American Red Cross and Salvation Army and disaster relief organizations affiliated.

Columbia Gas continues to operate claims centers in each of the three communities. In Andover, the claims center is at the Old Town Hall and will be open noon to 8 p.m. on Friday and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, and will continue to operate next week with the same operating hours. Claims can also be initiated by phone at 800-590-5571. The claims center in Andover has already handled more than 600 claims since it opened Tuesday. Columbia Gas has a Website with more information on property claims process.

Customers, regardless of where they live, may have to repair or replace service lines, furnaces, water heaters, and gas appliances. NiSource, the parent company of Columbia Gas, is arranging to have the work done for free for residents that cannot afford the repairs. The Town of Andover is waiving permit fees for repair work related to the gas explosions.

Andover has set up shower trailers at Pomp's Pond for any resident needing to take a hot shower. The showers are open from noon to 8 p.m. on Friday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.on Saturday, and will continue as needed. Residents need to bring their own shower supplies including towels, shampoo, conditioner, and soap. There will be a limited number of showers designated for family use. There is also an accessible shower for those with mobility impairments located at the Andover Senior Center.

The Andover/North Andover YMCA in Andover is open to residents of both communities who want to use the facilities to shower or workout.

Where To Get Help In North Andover

Customers in the unaffected area who still don't have gas service should call call Columbia at 866-388-3239.

Columbia Gas is setting up a Community Claims and Resource Center for North Andover residents and businesses. The center is located in the First and Main Plaza at 115 Main Street (the space adjacent to CVS). The center is scheduled to be open on Friday from noon to 8 pm, and Saturday from 9 am - 5 pm. There will be a town staff member present to answer non-claim related questions. Columbia Gas has a Website with more information on property claims process.

There is a Recovery Resource Center for residents of Lawrence, Andover and North Andover at the Elks Lodge at 652 Andover Street in Lawrence. The center will be open from noon to 7 pm on Friday. The center is staffed by representatives of municipal and state agencies as well as the American Red Cross and Salvation Army and disaster relief organizations affiliated.

Customers, regardless of where they live, may have to repair or replace service lines, furnaces, water heaters, and gas appliances. NiSource, the parent company of Columbia Gas, is arranging to have the work done for free for residents that cannot afford the repairs. The Town of Andover is waiving permit fees for repair work related to the gas explosions.

The Andover/North Andover YMCA in Andover is open to residents of both communities who want to use the facilities to shower or workout.

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People line up to file claims with Columbia Gas at the Lawrence Public Library on Monday. The utility opened similar centers in Andover and North Andover on Tuesday. Photo by Dave Copeland/Patch.

Dave Copeland can be reached at dave.copeland@patch.com or by calling 617-433-7851. Follow him on Twitter (@CopeWrites) and Facebook (/copewrites).