With gas company lagging, gov to give an update
Officials: Nov. 19 deadline may not be met
Gov. Charlie Baker is expected to give an update on the restoration efforts in the Merrimack Valley today, after days of speculation from local and state officials the plan to get residents back in their homes with working gas may be falling behind schedule. In Andover Wednesday, Baker deflected questions about the project’s timeline, repeatedly saying the state would have more information today. In recent days, Columbia’s progress in readying homes for gas service has fallen behind its own schedule. As of yesterday, the company had cleared 829 homes out of nearly 8,000. That is short of their goal for Oct. 21 of 896. Columbia’s plan includes a steady increase in the number of homes cleared each day. Both North Andover Town Manager Andrew Maylor and Lawrence Mayor Dan Rivera have told the Herald restoration does not appear to be on track to finish by the Nov. 19 deadline. Columbia will hold a series of community meetings tomorrow to update residents on restoration efforts. “Restoring gas service to thousands of customers is an incredibly complex logistical undertaking, and we know it can be confusing and disruptive to residents,” said Joe Albanese, a consultant who is leading the recovery effort for Columbia. “This is why we want to ensure that all customers have ample information on what the days and weeks ahead will look like and how we are here to assist them in every way.” Yesterday, Columbia executives met with Attorney General Maura Healey’s office, which has questioned the company’s pace and response. “With temperatures dropping, we asked Columbia Gas to consider new strategies to more quickly restore heat and hot water to homes and businesses, including safe repairs, other temporary solutions, and permanent fuel conversion,” said Chloe Gotsis, a Healey spokeswoman. “It is unacceptable to burden families with a one-size-fits-all permanent solution that would push recovery efforts further into the winter.”