Kos Adminstration in contact with Columbia Gas about last week’s explosions

Sept. 20, 2018 | G. Michael Dobbs
news@thereminder.com

CHICOPEE – Mayor Richard Kos said his administration has been in regular contact with Columbia Gas before the explosions in Lowell and Andover last week to address safety issues in the city and to try to prevent such an occurrence from happening locally.

Kos said that Acting Department of Public Works Superintendent Elizabette Botelho reached out to Columbia Gas about the explosions and discussed with them whether or not it was a “unique event.”

Kos said that like other communities there are gas leaks in Chicopee but they have been identified. Columbia Gas reached an accord with Springfield to fix the gas leaks in that community.     

After the explosion, City Councilor Joel McAuliffe called for Columbia Gas “to provide a full briefing to City officials regarding maintenance and safety of their system here in Chicopee in a timely manner.”

McAuliffe continued, “Nothing is more important than the public’s safety and it is important that we assure proper protections are in place to preventing such a tragedy from happening in Chicopee. Our thoughts and prayers are with the people of Lawrence, Andover, and North Andover during this difficult time and we wish them a quick recovery from this disaster.”

State Sen. Eric Lesser released the following statement the day after the explosions: “I express my condolences to the families of the Merrimack Valley who have lost their homes and all of those hurt by this tragedy. I’d also like to thank the first responders on the ground for their quick response and life-saving work.

“In light of yesterday’s tragic events in Lawrence, Andover and North Andover, I am calling on the Department of Public Utilities to conduct a statewide investigation of Columbia Gas operations, including an immediate plan for fixing the hundreds of gas leaks already known and identified across our Commonwealth. Until that investigation and plan is complete, there must be a halt to new permitting and construction, including the proposed Longmeadow metering station.

“Unfortunately, our region has seen the devastating impact of gas leaks. Springfield experienced an explosion as recently as 2012 that caused widespread damage.

“It shouldn’t take a tragedy to force action. Enough is enough. Columbia Gas has a moral obligation to protect the public and to fix their infrastructure.”

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