Ocean State opening

MILFORD – The old Stop & Shop building on Nashua Street is being made into an Ocean State Job Lot store, and on Saturday, March 28 there will be a grand opening at 8 a.m. and a ribbon cutting ceremony at 10.

“It’s going to be a nice addition to Milford and will occupy little more than half the space” and Ocean State will lease the rest, Town Administrator Mark Bender told selectmen recently.

Ocean State Job Lot sells kitchen pantry staples, household goods, clothing, pet supplies and seasonal products, including holiday items, sporting goods and gardening items and has a reputation for deep discounts.

– KATHY CLEVELAND

Pipeline and
sensitive areas

AMHERST – Colleen Mailloux, the town’s community development director, told the Board of Selectmen that a consultant hired by Kinder Morgan, the company proposing to run a natural gas pipeline through some southern New Hampshire towns, including Milford and Amherst, has asked for information regarding potentially sensitive areas: aquifers, drinking water supplies, schools, ballparks and conservation areas.

The request is part of an environmental review required by the federal government.

“Unfortunately,” said Selectman Mike Akillian. “The fact that we have a long list of sensitive areas doesn’t mean the pipeline can’t come here. Every community has a long list.”

The state Office of Energy and Planning recently told the town that the pipeline cannot go through the 41-acre Scott conservation land where the Souhegan canoe port is located.

Board Chairman Dwight Brew said his take on that edict means that the town can’t agree to a route through the Scott land, “it doesn’t mean the pipeline couldn’t go there.”

– KATHY CLEVELAND