Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Infrastructure Project topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Select Board approves amended Eversource memorandum allowing a 30‑day 24/7 drilling window with conditions and $300,000 compensation
Summary
After extended discussion about noise, scheduling and mobilization risk, the board approved an amended memorandum of understanding with Eversource to permit a time‑limited 24/7 directional drilling period (anticipated mid‑Feb to mid‑Mar) and to accept $300,000 in compensation for town infrastructure work; vote passed 4–1.
Select Board members approved an amended memorandum of understanding with Eversource governing the company’s cable work and associated town infrastructure improvements, after multiple questions about hours, noise mitigation and contingencies.
Town staff and Eversource representatives described the amended MOU provisions: Eversource would be permitted to use a seven‑day workweek and, during a restricted 30‑day period, operate up to 24 hours per day to complete directional drilling work; the company said the extended period is expected to be mid‑February to mid‑March. Eversource agreed to use commercially reasonable efforts to limit daytime and noise impacts, deploy sound‑attenuation curtains, and to compensate the town an additional $300,000 (cited as $10,000 per day during the extended period) that the town manager and DPW director recommended applying to critical culvert and drainage needs.
Board members probed the definition of "inclement weather," why 24/7 operations were necessary, equipment mobilization and availability of barges and drilling rigs. Eversource project manager Jacob Vaught explained that on‑water operations are weather‑limited (crew transfer and barge safety), that the driller’s operating limits are contractual and that lost work hours for weather would be prorated rather than counted as full lost days. DPW Director Peter McConnerty said public works will maintain daily oversight of the work and that some of the necessary marine equipment had already been committed and mobilized.
After extended discussion and questions about the town’s protections, sound mitigation and conditional timing, the Select Board voted 4–1 to approve the amended MOU and authorize the town manager to execute it.
The agreement includes a week‑by‑week engagement plan and a commitment by Eversource to coordinate with town staff, and a plan for frequent schedule updates during the extended operations.
