Gas leaks policies and data - Middlesex County (North Reading Town Clerk (MA))

Dear Sir/Ma’am

I am acknowledging your request below and will follow up within 10 business days as the statute requires.

Andrew Lafferty
Director

Town of North Reading
Department of Public Works
235 North Street
North Reading MA 01864
Phone: (978) 357-5208
Fax: (978) 664-1713

Sir/Ma’am

Please find below the response (in red) to PRL Request on Gas Leaks in North Reading.

Answer:

Any and all directive materials and data regarding the location and repair of gas leaks within this municipality.

The North Reading DPW does not maintain the gas system within the town; therefore we are not aware of location of gas leaks. National Grid is responsible for the gas system within the Town. This contact number is 1-800-233-5325. It is also possible the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities maintains this information. They can be reached at 617-305-3500.

Please include any ordinances, policies, procedures, or related materials regarding:

• the necessity of gas companies to report existing gas leaks to municipal officials
• the necessity of gas companies to survey areas for the existence of gas leaks
• the necessity of gas companies to repair known gas leaks

The North Reading DPW does not have any gas leak policies or procedures within the department. Both National Grid and the MA DPU would be responsible for the regulations and policies of gas leaks. National Grid’s contact number is 1-800-233-5325. Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities can be reached at 617-305-3500.

Please also include any data, statistics, maps, and other materials detailing the location and severity of known gas leaks in the areas under the jurisdiction of this municipality. Please include any data acquired from the Department of Public Utilities regarding gas leaks within this municipality.

The North Reading DPW is not aware of any gas leak data, statistics, maps within the department. Both National Grid and the MA DPU would be responsible for the overseeing gas leaks any data, statistics, or maps related to those. National Grid’s contact number is 1-800-233-5325. Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities can be reached at 617-305-3500.

Please include all requests from gas companies for construction and digging related to gas leaks.

The North Reading DPW requires all work within the Right of Way to be permitted; although that information may or may not include whether it is related to gas leaks or other construction work. We would require additional details in order to determine the level of effort required to compile this information. Please provide the following information in order for us to better determine the level of effort and available information from our street opening permits: Date from when to when is the information required, Information of who applied for the permit, list of applicable locations or roads, is the request for just the permit or all associated documents? (some permits have multiple documents including maps and plans). Depending on the period of requested records, the length of time requested may require an extension beyond the 10 business days. Also depending on the period of requested records, the cost may be impacted.

Please include all requests for repair made by this municipality to companies regarding gas leaks. Please also provide all responses.

The North Reading DPW does not make request to repair gas leaks. It is possible the Fire Department may submit requests to National Grid when they are called for inspection of a gas odor. The Fire Department can be contacted at 978-664-6054.

Please provide all data, statistics, maps, and other materials regarding the decay or destruction of trees and other foliage in relation to the presence of gas leaks.

The North Reading DPW is not aware of any gas leak data, statistics, maps within the department regarding the decay or destruction of trees in relation to the presence of gas leaks. National Grid would maintain any data related to gas leaks and may have further information about the impact on trees and other foliage. National Grid’s contact number is 1-800-233-5325.

If further clarification is necessary, please contact the MuckRock office at 617-299-1832.

Due to the fact no timeline was requested we would need additional information as stated above to meet your request.

I also request that, if appropriate, fees be waived as we believe this request is in the public interest, as suggested but not stipulated by the recommendations of the Massachusetts Supervisor of Public Records. The requested documents will be made available to the general public free of charge as part of the public information service at MuckRock.com, processed by a representative of the news media/press and is made in the process of news gathering and not for commercial usage.

Due to the fact no timeline was requested we would need additional information as stated above to meet your request. The time required will take more than 10 business day to complete this action; therefore we are requesting an extension in order to comply.

I expect the request to be filled in an accessible format, including for screen readers, which provide text-to-speech for persons unable to read print. Files that are not accessible to screen readers include, for example, .pdf image files as well as physical documents.

All current street opening permits exist in paper format. We would be able to provide a paper version or a scanned .pdf version.

In the event that there are fees, I would be grateful if you would inform me of the total charges in advance of fulfilling my request. I would prefer the request filled electronically, by e-mail attachment if available or CD-ROM if not.

Thank you in advance for your anticipated cooperation in this matter. I look forward to receiving your response to this request within 10 calendar days, as the statute requires.
We will respond as quickly as possible under the current Law; but response time is based on 10 business days not 10 calendar days.

Andrew Lafferty
Director

Town of North Reading
Department of Public Works
235 North Street
North Reading MA 01864
Phone: (978) 357-5208
Fax: (978) 664-1713