Special Acushnet Town Meeting Looks to Tackle LNG

Eversource's Access Northeast project will be the focus of a special town meeting in Acushnet Tuesday night.

Two articles on the warrant look to block or slow down the proposal to significantly expand the existing LNG storage tanks in the town. The first article asks public officials to go on record in opposition of the project, and was presented by petition by the SouthCoast Neighbors United group.

Board of Selectmen Chair Garry Rawcliffe says the second article has more bite to it, and would change to a bylaw to require Eversource to apply for an occupancy permit, which has it's own web of red tape. "Which will require Eversource to make sure they get certain things done before we'll give them an occupancy permit for their new facility, which gives us some safeguards," said Rawcliffe.

The chairman adds the first warrant is non-binding, giving more importance to the bylaw change question. "So at least we're not wasting $3,000 having a special town meeting."

The meeting gets underway at 7pm Tuesday night at Ford Middle School.