NEIGHBOR QUESTION:
Susan, 

Who can I contact about this [Columbia Gas line and meter replacement] work? We will not be there to open our house for the meter removal but I can arrange for some one to help with this. Do you know where they plan to put the meters outside? At the road or hang them on our house?

I am not pleased that I am not there to make suggestions about the placement as I have learned over the years that this kind of decision is often made by some one who is not nearly as concerned about how it will look as the property owner. I wonder if we have the option of paying for a remote meter reading device instead of moving the meter…..

We will appreciate any info you can share.

RESPONSE FROM KIP PATTERSON, LIAISON FOR ADENA BROOK COMMUNITY:

The replacement of the meter at your house will be in conjunction with a replacement of the trunk in the street, and unlike the recent repair should not involve reusing the old pipe from the main to your house.  I went through this several years ago and I found them very willing to work with me on meter location.  I put it behind a shrub and they made no fuss about hand digging that hole.  The one at the main (street) will be dug by a back hoe, and the line to the house will be run underground using a directional boring machine, leaving no impact on your yard. 

 I don’t know where your house is on Yaronia, and the Auditor’s maps are down right now, but it looks like the main will be in the street so you only have the one hole in the yard.

 They will need access to the house.  There is no possibility of leaving the meter in the basement.  Depending upon the layout, you may be able to put it on the side.  It will be mounted to the house, and you can paint it.

 When they show up, one thing they will do is check to see if there are any leaks in your inside piping.  If there are, your gas will not be turned back on until you have had a plumber repair the leaks.  The test is normally done at the end of the process.  You may wish to insist that it be done as soon as the old meter is pulled so that you have some time to get them fixed.

The project is still at the stage of obtaining permits from the city.  This always involves a little negotiation, so there is no time table.  NiSource will send you a letter as soon as they have a date.

 Kip Patterson    578-4345