Council unanimously grants National Grid petition to replace main on Anderson Road

The Town of Braintree council unanimously approved National Grid’s petition to replace aging gas mains on Anderson Road during the March 3 meeting.

Counselor Flareity, vice chair of the Department of Public Works committee, told the council the committee met earlier and returned a unanimous favorable recommendation for Order 260006. The item would replace older coated-steel and early-generation plastic pipe with new plastic main as part of National Grid’s bare steel main replacement program.

A National Grid representative in the audience outlined the work in more detail, saying the company proposed relaying approximately 850 feet of 2-inch coated steel (installed in 1958 and 1970), about 65 feet of 2-inch older plastic (from 1973) and roughly 20 feet of 2-inch plastic (2018) with approximately 935 feet of 2-inch plastic from Granite Street to the end of the main at 72 Anderson Road, and abandoning about 50 feet of coated steel in a driveway at 57 Anderson Road. "National Grid respectfully requests your consent for granted location as part of the bare steel main replacement program," the representative said.

Councilors praised the proactive approach of replacing aging infrastructure before emergency conditions arise. The council then moved, seconded and voted unanimously to grant the location request with staff recommendations noted.

The action was procedural: the council granted the location consent under the standard staff conditions and did not alter the project scope or funding. Town staff and National Grid will proceed with permitting and scheduling under the conditions referenced during the meeting.