Last March, New England Power Co. purchased nearly 53 acres of land in Wendell along Wendell Depot Road for $145,000. Because of our recent history of unwelcome large-scale energy projects, citizens of Wendell are wary of corporations that have their own agenda to meet their investment goals.

For several months, No Assault & Batteries in Wendell has been attempting to contact New England Power and National Grid. A spokesperson from National Grid told us recently that her company has “no intention yet to use the land, and may never use it at all.” She said National Grid is in the habit of buying available parcels next to the power lines, or in other strategic places, but they may use it sometime for “transmission lines, a substation or a lay down area.”

None of our local communities like surprises from corporations that make decisions in distant headquarters that impact the environment where we live. Transparency should be an important corporate goal to ensure good planning and cooperation. We hope that National Grid will continue to tell us what they plan to do with this important land along Wendell Depot Road, and that they will work with citizens of Wendell to address our issues and our goals.

Court Dorsey

On behalf of the No Assault & Batteries Coordinating Committee, Wendell