Judge approves gas settlement for locals
By Jill Harmacinski jharmacinski@andovertownsman.com Jan 7, 2021
Jan 7, 2021
In March 2020, just as the COVID-19 pandemic was emerging, the $143 million class action settlement for the Merrimack Valley gas disaster was approved.
Superior Court Judge James Lang signed off on the settlement, which was aimed at compensating victims for everything from lost property to emergency lodging, to spoiled food, mental hardship and more.
The settlement included lump-sump and itemized payments for gas disaster victims from Lawrence, Andover and North Andover.
The average settlement payment to a family of four was estimated to be $8,750, Lang said.
Prior to the final court hearing on the settlement Feb. 27, a total of 11,077 claims had been filed. That figure includes 10,432 residential claims and 645 from area businesses that suffered losses or closed.
Congress approves Rondon safety bill
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UPDATED: Rondon gas safety bill passes Congress
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In Memory of Lawrence Teen Gas Safety Bill Expected To Pass
More than 2 years ago, in September of 2018, I remember watching the Boston News stations covering the house explosions in Lawrence, Andover and North Andover wondering what went wrong. How are these houses exploding? It was like watching something out of a movie.
As it turned out, the swell of over-pressured gas lines underground caused the explosions that lead to the destruction of 5 homes and damaged 131 others, according to Newburyportnews.com. The explosions also injured three firefighters and 19 other people. 50,000 people were forced to evacuate.
The most tragic story of that day, was the death of Leonel Rondon, an 18 year old who had just received his drivers license when a house chimney crushed his car with him in it. How heartbreaking!
Rondon gas safety bill passes Congress
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