somerset
TRANSCRIPT
SOMERSET, MA
The Land (Geography)
• Somerset has an area of 12 square miles.
• It borders on Mount Hope Bay and Narragansett Bay, and its east border is formed by the Taunton River (part of Narragansett Bay).
History
• In 1677, the pilgrims first settled on what is now Somerset (then, the Shawomet lands). The Native American populations were wiped out from exposure to European diseases (smallpox).
• 1790: Somerset was official incorporated as a town in Massachusetts.
• The town was named after Somerset Square in Boston-- which itself was named after Somerset County, in England.
• Since it borders the Taunton River, Somerset was once used as a chief shipping and distribution center.
• In 1872, the town became a major coal port.
• Beginning around the late nineteenth century, Fall River’s (the city across the river) industry grew-- and absorbed much of Somerset’s industry. This allowed Somerset to suburbanize.
• However, Somerset maintains its major industry: power generation.
• There are two power plants in this 12 square mile town.
Somerset Power Plant
• Somerset Power Plant is a coal-and oil-fired power plant currently owned by NRG Energy Inc.
• Also known as the Montaup Power Station (once owned by the Montaup Electric Company), it originally featured a pulverized coal-fired (fluid-bed) boiler technology.
Pollution
• Until the mid-1970’s, asbestos-containing materials were utilized as high temperature insulation for equipment such as pipes, boilers and turbines.
• Inhaling dust and particles from the application and maintenance of asbestos insulation and other materials placed employees at risk of developing serious health problems.
Brayton Point Power Station
• Began operating in 1962. It is the largest fossil-fuel power plant in New England, as its responsible for 6% of the region’s power.
• It consists of 4 generating units that produce enough electricity to power about 1.5 million homes, using low-sulfur coal, natural gas and fossil fuel oil.
Pollution - Brayton Point
• According to a recent report from Environment Rhode Island, the Brayton Point station emits 84 lbs of mercury each year. It’s ranked the 4th worst for mercury pollution in New England.
• This pollution is also contaminates the Taunton River.
• http://www.ecori.org/pollution-contamination/2011/1/26/brayton-point-ranked-4th-in-mercury-pollution.html
• Stone walls are common in many backyards.
• The Village Waterfront
Culture & Lifestyle
• The Village: the original colony of Somerset; oldest and most historic part of the town.
• Youths have been enjoying the waterfront for generations...
Nancy Pimental
• Nancy Pimental graduated from Somerset High School in 1983.
• After attending Worcester Polytechnic Institute for Chemical Engineering, she decided to pursue screenwriting instead.
• She wrote the screenplay for the movie The Sweetest Thing. One of the scenes is set at a dress boutique-- owned by a woman named Vera-- which Pimental based off of the actual Vera’s Bridal from her hometown in Somerset, Mass.