Washington Square Businesses Push Back On Daytime Utility Work

BROOKLINE, MA — Wondering what's going on with all that construction and noise in Washington Square weeknights after 10 p.m.? National Grid is replacing 450 feet of gas piping that's been around since the 1920s. The company is also replacing a regulator station and fixing gas leaks.

The construction work started in April during the day and was not only noisy and disruptive but it hurt businesses in the area, business owners said.

"It was brought to my attention that it's causing a lot of disruption for a lot of business owners," said National Grid's Community and Customer Manager John Barkas.

So, businesses held a meeting with National Grid and came up with the idea of having the company do the replacement work overnight. The group brought the idea — and a request for a noise violation variance — to the Select Board. It passed unanimously after a public hearing during which mostly local business owners made their cases.

"This project has been devastating for my business," Toirm Miller, owner of Stoked Pizza, told the board at the hearing. He said his business is down by a third and worries if the work continues during the day he will go out of business.

Because the work was happening in the business district during daytime hours, businesses are bearing the brunt of the project disruptions between the loud noise and equipment taking up valuable parking spaces.

And that's not all. David Ciccolo, owner of the Publick House, said he had to go without a delivery of meat, a staple on the menu, because of the work.

At least one resident said he was all for the night work. Sam Ditzion, who lives around the corner on Washington Street, spoke in support of the night work, saying he's more affected by the traffic delays than the noise.

The work is scheduled for completion in early November, barring weather and other unforeseen events, said Barkas.

Patch reporter Jenna Fisher can be reached at Jenna.Fisher@patch.com or by calling 617-942-0474. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram (@ReporterJenna).