Find Out About the Latest on Proposed Gas Pipeline

By Liz Taurasi and Les Masterson

It’s been seven months since North Reading residents spoke out at an informational meeting on the proposed Kinder Morgan/Tennessee Gas Company pipeline.

A second informational session in North Reading last year was postponed, but North Reading residents can get an update on the project by heading to the Wilmington Memorial Library on Thursday.

Sponsored by the group Wilmington Pipeline Awareness, the meeting is scheduled for Thursday, Jan. 15 at 7 p.m. at the Wilmington Memorial Library.

The controversial $5 billion Northeast expansion proposal includes a 20-inch, high pressure gas transmission line to run through North Reading along the high-tension wires.

Construction of the gas line could affect a dozen different neighborhoods in Wilmington, Tewksbury and North Reading, including Hathaway Acres, Apollo Park, Martins Brook, Lucaya Circle, Cold Spring Road, Crestwood Drive and Damon Street. It would cross through many yards, while also cutting a 75-foot swath through Apollo Park. If built the project would be one of the highest operating pressure gas lines in New England.

Some of the points expected to be discussed at the Thursday night meeting include:

• The pipeline path will run close to the Wilmington drinking water supply and an active quarry.
• The proposed route crosses private property and eminent domain may be used to provide right of way access to homeowner land.
• Thousands of trees will be permanently removed from the residential and conservation land.

The meeting will provide updated information on the pipeline and allow residents to ask questions. Speakers will include state Rep. James Miceli, eminent domain attorney George McLaughlin and a representative from the Ipswich River Watershed Association.

Kinder Morgan representatives were in North Reading last year and residents, neighbors to the project, town officials and state officials took aim at the company’s proposal.

>> Read 8 Things to Know about the Gas Pipeline Proposed to Run through North Reading.

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