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.