Want to Know the Effects of the Proposed Gas Pipeline on Town?

A meeting Thursday night is open to the public about the proposed Kinder Morgan/Tennessee Gas Company pipeline and what effects if will have on the town of Wilmington and impacted communities.

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

Wilmington’s Board of Selectmen will be discussing the issue and getting an update from the town manager at its Monday night meeting in advance of Thursday.

The Tennessee Gas Pipeline Company is proposing to construct a 20-inch, high pressure gas transmission line in 2018 as part of a controversial $5 billion Northeast expansion.

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, Damon Street and other areas in town. 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.

The proposed TGP “Northeast Energy Direct” pipeline still includes a branch running from Wilmington/Tewksbury/Andover to Lynnfield.

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

• The pipeline path will run alarmingly 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, which will provide updated information on the pipeline and allow residents to ask questions, will include speakers: State Representative 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 where 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 >>>