Exposed gas pipe worries Fremont neighbors

By TOM KANE

HANKINS, NY — An exposed, live gas pipeline owned by the Columbia Gas Transmission Company has alarmed neighbors who have complained to the company.

During a major storm back in November, the waters of the Hankins Creek washed away the embankment, exposing the 12-inch pipe located off the Hankins Road, about two miles from the hamlet.

“We called the number that is listed on the post at the site in December and complained but haven’t heard back,” said Willie Bowers, whose home is a short distance from the site.

After not hearing from the company for six months, Bowers and his wife, Renee, went to the Town of Fremont Board on June 9 and complained.

“We wrote a letter soon after and have not heard from the company as yet,” said Fremont supervisor James Greier.

“The creek washed down a number of trees in recent weeks and washed away the embankment,” Bowers said.

Glenn Sipple, the owner of the upstream property, said the company had asked him a few months ago if Columbia Gas could enter his property to remove fallen trees and debris.

A week ago, a truck and workers appeared at the site to cut the grass leading from the road to the site, Bowers said.

“We worked with Sullivan County Soil and Water Conservation District on a reconstruction plan which they approved,” said Kelly Merritt, Columbia Gas communications manager.

“We were unable to do any real construction on the site before June 1 because of trout season,” Merritt said. “We have until September 30 to finish the restoration of the embankment. As soon as we get the permit, we’ll start working. The reconstruction usually takes around two to four days.”

“They sought our assistance at the end of February,” said Les Kirby, Soil and Water Conservation District technician. “We helped them approach the DEC [Department of Environmental Conservation] for permits in May.”

The company will build a rectangular retaining wall reaching out into the stream and back fill it, restoring the embankment, Merritt said.

“The company appears to have been working on correcting the problem,” said David Flanagan, spokesman for the New York State Public Service Commission.

“My problem was that they never contacted us to relieve our anxiety,” he said.