Dedham Selectman Jailed For Protesting Gas Pipeline
DEDHAM (CBS) - The Chairman of the Dedham Board of Selectmen is so frustrated over construction of a high-pressure pipeline in his town, he was willing to go to jail over the issue.
Mike Butler gave police a heads-up before he purposely planted himself on the property of the construction work-site on Elm Street near Route 1 in Dedham.
Protesters chanted as police arrested him for refusing to leave. "It could be too late," he said. "But as a Board, we're committed to do whatever we can for the residents of Dedham."
Wednesday, Dedham selectmen asked for a federal judge to order an emergency hearing to stop construction, at least until appeals are heard. Dedham and Boston have both tried to stop work on the West Roxbury Lateral Pipeline. It's a five-mile extension through Westwood, Dedham, and Boston, where it would run uncomfortably close to a quarry that's a regular blasting site.
"There has been opposition all up and down the pipeline route. The Boston City Council passed a resolution calling for a halt to the pipeline until the health and safety impacts could be evaluated," said Emily Kirkland with the Better Future Project.
Despite residents' concerns about possible safety and environmental risks, the federal government has given Spectra Energy permission to go ahead with construction. "It will bring sufficient and diverse domestic natural gas supplies to the New England region to provide homes and businesses with a more affordable and environmentally friendly energy source to meet growing demand," said Marylee Hanley, spokesperson for the Texas-based Spectra Energy.
Butler was arraigned hours after his arrest, and pleaded not guilty to trespassing. When he was released, he said he hoped he made a difference.
