Everett council opens public hearing on National Grid gas-main extension, refers petition to committee

A public hearing before the Everett City Council on a petition from National Grid to extend distribution mains on Boston, Second and Third Streets ended Tuesday with the council referring the matter to committee for more information. Diana Cuddy of Boston Gas/ National Grid identified herself at the podium and said the petition responds to a customer request and would extend a high-pressure main down Boston Street and stub into Second and Third Streets to serve a development project. "My name is Diana Cuddy, Boston Gas DBA National Grid 170 Data Drive, Waltham, Massachusetts," she told the council.

Cuddy clarified the filing covers the main installation only; services and laterals that reach private property will be built from the stubbed main into private parcels, she said. Councilors pressed for detail about sequencing, traffic impacts and the project—'s ultimate customers. "Are you gonna be doing these things all at the same time?" Councilor Hanlon asked, raising traffic and staging concerns; Cuddy replied that timing and permitting details would be set in the city's permit process and could include night work or temporary trench restoration.

Councilor Hanlon moved to refer the petition to the Government Operations committee for follow-up with the city engineer and the petitioner's representatives; the motion was seconded and approved. The council also closed the public hearing. The referral directs staff to invite the city engineer and the petitioner to the committee to provide details on traffic management, staging and the identity of the proposed service connections. No final permitting decision was made at the full council meeting.