Waltham council hears National Grid plan to replace century‑old gas mains on South Side; matter sent to committee

The Waltham City Council on June 9 reopened public hearings on two National Grid petitions to replace aging gas mains in the city’s South Side and referred both matters to the License and Franchise Committee for further review.

National Grid representative Mary Mulroney told the council the company seeks city consent to replace multiple runs of 4‑inch cast‑iron and plastic mains — some installed as early as 1913–1917 — with 6‑inch plastic pipe, citing proposed water‑works projects that require coordination. As read into the record, the Bolton/Clinton/Day Street petition would replace “approximately 685 feet of 4 inch cast 2003 in Bolton Street ... with 690 feet of 6 inch plastic” and additional segments in Day and Clinton Streets; the Cutter Street petition would replace “approximately 788 feet of 4 inch cast iron ... with 803 feet of 6 inch plastic.”

Councilors used the hearings to press National Grid on community impacts. Councilor Robert G. Logan (Ward 9) and other councilors asked how soon work would begin if the petitions were approved and whether both projects would run at the same time. Steve DiLorenzo, identified as National Grid’s lead supervisor in Waltham, said the Bolton Street work could begin “probably within a couple of weeks of approval” depending on union scheduling; he estimated a…