By Justin Saglio, Community Reporter
Northborough — The Board of Selectmen praised the town's police, fire and Department of Public Works employees at the board's Sept. 12 meeting for their work in restoring the town to working order following damage caused by Tropical Storm Irene.
Fallen trees damaged buildings and blocked driveways, and power was lost throughout parts of Northborough for over 48 hours.
“The average person sees what is going on in public, but what goes on behind the scenes is at least equal,” Board of Selectmen Chair Jeff Amberson said.
During the meeting, several of the selectmen criticized National Grid and Verizon, the companies responsible for repairing, respectively, damaged power and phone lines.
When downed power lines rested on fallen trees, town workers were not permitted to move them, according to Selectman Dawn Rand. Northborough residents could not drive their cars for several days in some cases because their driveways were blocked.
“National Grid and Verizon were a bit of a “fly in the ointment,”” Rand said.
“I know some communities were upset about how fast [National Grid] responded or did not respond and what was acceptable,” Selectman Leslie Rutan said.
Northborough's Housing Authority was able to keep power running to senior housing during the power blackout by their purchase of generators days before the storm.
Selectman Aaron Hutchins, the board's liaison to the Housing Authority, credited that group's “fiscal conservatism” as a reason that they had funds to buy the generators.
“They have recently been replacing all the windows in a number of housing units, which is not of cheap cost, and they have done that by being very responsible with their finances in the past,” Hutchins said.
In other business, the board voted unanimously to grant Wegmans grocery store a license to host indoor and outdoor entertainment at their new location on Route 20 in Northborough.
Scheduled to open Sunday, Oct. 16, the grocery store will have a 40-seat outdoor patio where shoppers can sit and listen to live entertainment.
Store Manager Kevin Russell said he plans to recruit jazz ensembles from local high schools to play at the store.
“There will be no speakers; we don's want to be obnoxious,” Russell said. “We just want our customers to have a great shopping experience.”
Ed Bombard, a representative from Northborough's Vincent F. Picard Post 0234 of the American Legion, spoke at the meeting to promote an effort to send care packages to soldiers stationed overseas.
“Being an ex-serviceman, I's well aware of what it feels like to get a care package from home,” Bombard said. “It really lifts your spirits.”
The group will collect items ranging from personal hygiene products to non-perishable food items until its Tuesday, Nov. 1 deadline.
The legion, located at 402 West Main St., currently has over 300 members who will raise funds to cover shipping costs for the care packages.
“Last year we were hoping we wouldn's have to do it again, but unfortunately our servicemen are still over there,” Bombard said.
