Trailers, Hotel Rooms Part Of Merrimack Valley Housing Plan

NORTH ANDOVER, MA -- Officials in North Andover said Friday that they will set up 80 trailers with heat, electricity and hot water at Grogan's Field as part of a plan to provide temporary housing to the more than 2,000 residents still without gas service following last months explosions. The plans -- which are also being implemented in Andover and Lawrence -- include securing hotel rooms and vacant apartments for residents deemed most at risk as temperatures drop. While the state has been distributing hot plates and space heaters, many older homes cannot support the electrical load from those devices.

Columbia Gas of Massachusetts has more than 200 construction crews working to return service, a task that includes replacing 45 miles of underground gas lines. The company says it is on track to meet a Nov. 19 deadline for restoring service in all three communities.

"Since tragedy struck thousands of residents in the Merrimack Valley leaving them without heat and hot water in their homes, the team has been working around the clock to make repairs and offer services," Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker said Friday.

In addition to the 80 trailers in North Andover, 40 will be place in Andover and 250 will be located in Lawrence. Columbia Gas has reserved 3,000 hotel rooms, most of which are within 30 miles of the three communities. The company has also leased 164 one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments, most of which are within 15 miles of the Merrimack Valley. Officials also are setting up a shelter in the former Malden Mills site in Lawrence that will eventually be able to accommodate up to 1,000 people.

Residents who need alternative housing should call the Columbia Gas claims line at 1-800-590-5571. Any resident without gas service is eligible for temporary housing, but Columbia Gas said it would begin reaching out to residents deemed "most vulnerable" starting next week.

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Photo by town of North Andover.

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