Acton Select Board approves National Grid pipe replacements after heated debate, public objections

National Grid won approval from the Acton Select Board on May 19 to proceed with replacement of aging gas mains in multiple locations after a lengthy public hearing and debate about alternatives, costs and environmental impacts.

The hearings covered a planned replacement of roughly 3,180 feet of older steel main on Central Street and a separate, larger project affecting Arlington Street, Elm Street, Houghton Lane and other short runs. National Grid representatives told the board the work is part of the company’s replacement program intended to address leak-prone pipe and improve system reliability.

Why it matters: Advocates pressed the board to demand repair-first approaches and to consider how investment in new gas infrastructure shifts costs to ratepayers while the state pursues decarbonization. The board approved the applications but several members expressed reservations and pressed town staff to require stricter engineering oversight and clearer prioritization of projects.

National Grid’s representative said the work “is part of the bare steel replacement program and it’s to keep safety, reliability, integrity in the system and, to prevent leaks” and explained that in many cases multiple localized repairs have preceded the decision to replace a full run of pipe.

Public commenters urged alternatives. Karen Watkins of Mothers Out Front said residents support safety but asked the town and the utility to evaluate repair methods and neighborhood transitions to electrification. “Our review has generally found that the utilities are not spending ratepayer funds wisely,” Watkins said, quoting James von Nostrand, chair of the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities, and urging the board to press National Grid on non‑replacement options and equitable cost outcomes.

Board discussion highlighted competing priorities. Several members said they support moving away from fossil fuels but also emphasized immediate public‑safety concerns tied to century‑old steel pipe. One member noted multiple active grade‑3 leaks along the Central Street run and said replacing the steel main reduces recurring leaks and environmental risk. Other members urged conditioning approvals on engineering review, limiting any increase in pipe size to avoid perceived capacity increases, and seeking written assurances about crossings such as the Fort Pond Brook/“Fort Parn” bridge design and inspection.

Outcomes and next steps: The board closed the first public hearing and approved National Grid’s Central Street replacement project (motion to approve as noticed; outcome recorded at the meeting as approved with 3 in favor and 2 abstentions). In a second hearing covering Arlington, Elm and Houghton Lane, the board discussed a proposed amendment that would allow replacing only coated steel portions and leave existing plastic pipe in place; that amendment failed. After additional motions, the board ultimately approved the broader replacement plan for Arlington, Elm, Houghton Lane and Central Street as presented; at least one member abstained during the final vote. The board directed staff and the town engineer to pursue additional follow‑up information about bridge crossings and to request written clarifications from the utility on whether partial replacements (steel only) are feasible.

What the hearings did not do: The board did not authorize any expansion of the gas distribution system for new growth, and several members repeatedly asked National Grid to confirm that replacements were for reliability rather than for added capacity. Several speakers and board members asked the Department of Public Works and the town engineer to review designs and to require permits and police details for daytime work; the company said permits, police details and DPW conditions will govern construction.

Documents and community engagement: The board and planning staff said they will seek technical follow‑up information from National Grid and from the town’s Department of Public Works and engineering staff. Residents and advocates who favor repair or neighborhood electrification said they will continue to press for alternatives in future filings and rate cases.

Votes at the meeting: The Central Street application was approved (meeting-recorded outcome: approved; 3 in favor, 2 abstentions). The Arlington/Elm/Houghton/Central package was ultimately approved after discussion and motions; abstentions were recorded during the board’s deliberations and members asked staff to return with additional engineering clarifications.