Taking place at the Elizabeth Peabody House,
located at 277 Broadway, the meeting space was filled with explanatory
pamphlets and alignment sheets conveying the street plans for the
construction. Ward Four Alderman Walter Pero opened the meeting by
stressing how important this project is for Somerville. "It is a very
big project that is coming right through Ward Four," Pero explained,
"but it is going to be a major upgrade for the city."

A
representative from Algonquin Gas Transmissions LLC, John Bonsol,
explained the development and the nature of the project itself. Waltham
based Algonquin Gas Transmissions LLC, a subsidiary of Spectra Energy,
filed an application for this project with the Federal Energy
Regulatory Commission (FERC) in April of 2008. FERC is an independent
agency employed by the US Congress to regulate the interstate
transmission of natural gas. Throughout the United States, every
project of this nature must go through FERC before going ahead.

On
April 14th 2008, the first community meeting to discuss the project was
hosted by Algonquin. "We've tried to be very proactive in communicating
with the public throughout every step of this project," Bonsol said.
Since last April there have been numerous meetings for community
members to voice their concerns.

The J-2 pipeline will connect
with existing natural gas lines at two points, creating a loop of
natural gas pipes throughout Somerville. The benefits of such a loop
are many.

"This will be a more reliable supply of natural gas,"
explained David Neal, the project manager for the J-2 Loop. "It will
become a redundant pipeline which will increase capacity. We'll also be
able to do some integrity work on the existing line."

Currently
there is no simple way to perform integrity work on existing pipelines
without shutting off gas temporarily. With the J-2 Loop in place, the
older parts of the pipeline could be shut down for repairs while the
newer pipeline would continue the regular supply of gas to the
community.

The new pipeline will start in Medford and continue
down parts of Mystic Avenue, Temple Street, Broadway, School Street,
Medford Street and eventually end at the McGrath Bridge. Construction
will take place along sections of all these streets. But residents
should not worry – the entire construction process will be in the
streets and shoulders. "There will be no construction on anybody's
property," Neal reassured concerned citizens.

Construction of
the pipeline will follow "The Stovepipe Construction Technique," which
involves excavating 40 ft long trenches, lowering the pipe into the
trench, soldering the pipes, and then backfilling the trench. Neal
expects they will be able to install 40 ft of piping per day.

When
asked about the hours of construction, Neal explained that construction
will take place from 7am to 7pm on weekdays and 8am to 7pm on
Saturdays. "If you hear noise before 7 o clock, call your Alderman or
call City Hall," added Alderman Pero. If any resident has a question or
complaint about construction, they can call the IRC Landowner Hotline
at 1-800-470-9333.