So many people attended Monday's board meeting that some had to stand behind the Selectmen. Others were out in the hallway because there wasn't enough room.

LANESBOROUGH, Mass. — It was standing-room only in the Selectmen's office Monday night with dozens of residents asking the board to stop the proposed natural gas pipeline.

 

The proposed Kinder Morgan Northeast Energy Direct project is eyed to install a high-pressure gas line through 19 properties in town on its way from the Marcellus Shale territory in Pennsylvania to Maine. The route cuts through Hancock, Lanesborough, Cheshire, Dalton, Hinsdale, Windsor and Peru. It runs along the electrical lines just north of Town Hall, bisecting the town.

 

The residents on Monday delivered a petition with more than 500 signatures asking the Selectmen to oppose the project, citing health, environmental, and safety reasons. Of particular concern is that the route will go through the town's water aquifer, which pipeline opponents say could contaminate the drinking water supply.

 

"I have serious questions about whether the proposed pipeline will have an unreasonable effect on health," said Larry Spatz.

 

Spatz, a member of the Board of Health, rattled off a long list of accusations about the company's practices, asking if the town can trust it. Among the examples, Spatz included a 2004 murder conviction related to an explosion in California that killed five construction workers and injured four others; the FBI finding the company illegally sold coal it did not own; and a $1 million fine levied on the company in 2010 for violating the Clean Air Act. He added there have been numerous explosions and leaks.

 

"These are the things that will affect the safety of our town," said Russell Freedman, who spearheaded the opposition movement. "We are relying on this company that doesn't have a good track record for our safety for the next 50 years. It doesn't help me sleep at night."

 

Freedman, too, questioned the impact the pipeline will have on conservation land and the aquifer. He wondered about explosions and the safety of the town. He cited environmental concerns with the gas being vented out. 

 

If there is a leak or an explosion, Freedman said he doesn't trust Kinder Morgan will take care of all of the problems that come with it. 

 

Along with the petition, which is on the ballot for town meeting, the group provided the Selectmen with an array of documents to support their claims and fears. The Selectmen, however, haven't taken a stand, although they are currently unhappy with their conversations with the energy company.

 

"They've already got one strike from me. We never received anything about how they'd go across the water aquifer. I asked them a direct question," Chairman John Goerlach said when the group questioned his stance. 

 

Goerlach said the only value for the town he sees so far by allowing the company to install the pipeline is about a $1 million in tax revenue. 

 

Russell Freedman presented an array of concerns he has about the energy company.

Kinder Morgan says there is a need for more natural gas in the Northeast. With the closures of coal and nuclear plants - like Yankee Nuclear in Vermont - something needs to provide the electric companies with fuel. A team of six New England governors previously signed onto a report agreeing that there needs to be a "bridge fuel" as the states move toward renewables. Former Gov. Deval Patrick was among the signatories but later backtracked on that statement.

 

Selectman Robert Ericson doesn't dispute the need for energy.

 

"I see the need for natural gas," he said. "If you shut something down, something has to replace it."

 

But Ericson isn't ready to side with the company. He wants to gather more information about the project. Selectman Henry "Hank" Sayers says he'll take the lead from the people when they vote on the petition at town meeting. 

 

"I'm on the fence. I'm waiting for town meeting to see how the whole town feels about it," Sayers said.

 

Goerlach reminded the citizens that the Selectmen have never had to deal with such a project before and it is foreign territory for them. He said the board will continue to pursue more answers. 

 

"It is not like we know every process and avenue to try and cut them off. We are hoping to have you folks with us to help get through this," Goerlach said.

 

The town has signed on with other communities along the pipeline path to contract Berkshire Regional Planning Commission to handle the technical aspects. BRPC is holding a session with planning and zoning boards to set bylaws to mitigate any issues. BRPC officials say they are not in a position to make opinions on whether or not the pipeline is moving forward but rather do what they can to make sure each town knows what they can and cannot do to alleviate concerns. Lanesborough is preparing to allocate $25,000 to get through the process.

 

The town owns one of the 19 properties the pipeline is proposed to cut through and the Selectmen voted Monday against giving the company the authority to survey the land. The line would cut through the town's gravel yard, which is located between Ore Bed Road and Bailey Road.