On September 26 at Old Rochester Regional High School, the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities held a public hearing to share with impacted communities (Mattapoisett and Acushnet) and residents therein a plan to extend an existing, overhead transmission line and an associated substation. The developer/owner of the site is NSTAR, doing business as Eversource.
It was explained that Line 112 will be tapped to extend from off Mendall Road in Acushnet to the Crystal Spring substation on Crystal Spring Road in Mattapoisett. The substation expansion plans include replacement of existing substation and a second transformer being added, along with upgraded and/or new ancillary equipment. The footprint of the substation and associated fencing will also be expanded.
Eversource representative Dan Hagen outlined the scope of the project and described why the expansion is considered necessary. He said through his slide presentation that “to ensure that electricity flows with a high degree of reliability, the upgrades” are required. Continuing on, Hagen stated these changes would allow for future interconnection with the power grid, permit future growth and help meet the commonwealth’s clean-energy and climate goals.
To extend Line 112 in what Hagen described as “primarily cleared” land, some additional vegetation removal will be required. The line will parallel Line 114 and will necessitate the construction of 26 weathering-steel structures. These structures measure approximately 60 feet in height. The line will ultimately cross Mendall Road in Acushnet, Long Plain Road, Tinkham Lane, Hereford Hill Road and Crystal Spring Road in Mattapoisett.
Public comments were taken with several residents expressing concerns. One person inquired about possible drilling during construction. She said she was a beekeeper and that earlier construction and drilling in this area caused her hives to fail. Another speaker insisted that portable sanitation units be placed at the site during construction to avoid a defecation in the open, which the speaker said happened previously.
Coupled with that health concern was the lack of consistent securing of gates at the site, leaving them open to illegal dumping. And there were comments regarding the need for improved screening along Crystal Spring Road, a scenic byway. Hagen indicated that all concerns would be taken into consideration moving forward. Local oversight by the Conservation Commission was also noted by Hagen.
Public comments will be taken until October 10. Plans are available at both the Mattapoisett Town Clerk office, the Acushnet Town Clerk office and the Mattapoisett Free Public Library. The project Hot Line number is 833-836-0302.
Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities
By Marilou Newell