MASSENA - The recent start of their expansion into Franklin County will be among the things celebrated when Enbridge St. Lawrence Gas holds its 50th anniversary open house from noon to 3 p.m. today at their Massena office, 33 Stearns St.

The afternoon of activities includes information on the Franklin County expansion, which involves putting in 48 miles of gas lines between Norfolk and Chateaugay.

“We had the shovel in the ground on the 22nd (of August). We had started with the unloading of pipe back in early August,” Assistant General Manager James P. Ward said.

Visitors to the open house can also enjoy some refreshments, take guided tours of their facility, watch live demonstrations and meet the staff.

There will also be raffles, and Belly Buttons the clown will be on hand with face painting and balloon animals.

Company officials will also dedicate Valve A, “the original valve where the majority of our gas flowed through from 1962 right up until last year,” Mr. Ward said. “We had to retire it last year as a part of some other work we were doing. We said this is a good symbol of what St. Lawrence Gas has meant since 1962.”

The purpose of the day, according to Mr. Ward, is “just kind of a customer appreciation thing.”

“It’s a big milestone. We’re kind of silent as far as our customers are concerned unless they have a problem with us. Their gas is delivered automatically. They get their monthly bill automatically. We just want to show our appreciation,” he said.

Enbridge St. Lawrence Gas was incorporated in 1957 and served its first natural gas customer in 1962.

With assets of more than $40 million, the company provides natural gas to approximately 14,000 residential customers, 1,700 commercial customers and 24 industrial customers in Beaver Falls, Canton, Croghan, Gouverneur, Heuvelton, Lisbon, Madrid, Massena, New Bremen, Norfolk, Norwood, Ogdensburg, Potsdam, Raymondville and Waddington.

They have 46 employees at their headquarters in Massena and satellite office in Ogdensburg.

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