By Molly McCarthy, Contributing Writer
Southborough – The Department of Public Utilities (DPU) held a public hearing Nov. 29 at the Trottier Middle School regarding National Grid's preparation for Tropical Storm Irene and its follow-up response after the storm hit the region in late August. Statements concerning the Oct. 29 Nor'saster were also accepted at the public hearing.
Marcy Reed, the president of National Grid Massachusetts, praised the company's efforts. Reed stated it had been an “unusual” situation since both storms had registered as level five storms, which are considered catastrophic.
State Rep. Carolyn Dykema, D- Holliston, noted that suburban communities rely more on private water supplies, and lack of electrical power is more than just an inconvenience.
State Assistant Attorney General James Stetson represented the company's customers during the hearing.
“Customers deserve better,” Stetson said. “We want to know why numerous fire chiefs described National Grid as unresponsive, confused and unprofessional.”
Southborough Board of Selectmen Chair Bill Boland said that the company needs to do a better job of explaining to the public how the system works. Boland said that notifications were sent out by the company via email, but since many residents had lost power and the town's computer server was down, email did not work as a means of communication.
“I question if the proper job is being done. We are allowing them to get too big. They are foreign-owned and don's have as much investment as they once did. There is blame to share,” Boland said.
Southborough Emergency Management Director of Operations Neal Aspesi said he felt there was a lack of honesty on National Grid's side.
“You knew you were overwhelmed, but felt if you shared it with us you looked bad,” he said.
Aspesi expressed concern over the company using fax lines to relay information.
“When the power is out, phone lines are out. This was information we needed to know, but it was being shared over the wrong medium,” he said.
Southborough resident Louise Barron said she was told by a National Grid employee they didn's know when her power would be restored.
“It's more than inexcusable – it's disgusting,” she added. “I's like to see the towns get rid of National Grid. I's like to see them fined. We haven's even hit the throes of winter. What is going to happen then?”