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Belchertown's Struggles Get Attention Of Governor Deval Patrick
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Friday,
November 4, 2011
As most of Belchertown continues to struggle with their daily lives without power, Governor Deval Patrick and Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs Richard Sullivan visited town hall where they heard the concerns of residents and town officials drawing much needed attention to the plight of the community. Governor Patrick arrived by state police helicopter that landed at the Senior Center.
The press was not initially allowed into the selectmen’s meeting room at Lawrence Memorial Hall. The governor's press secretary said that this was because some residents wished to express their frustrations in private.
After some protest from the media, press was eventually allowed in the room where residents were sharing their frustrations with the governor. He told residents that the Department of Public Utilities (DPU) will be having hearings, which they are already holding as a result of the utility companies response to Hurricane Irene.
Sullivan said that one of those hearings will be held in Belchertown. He said that it is likely that hearing will not be held until after the holidays, however.
Patrick said that residents should keep detailed notes regarding the utility company’s response in preparation for the hearings.
Sullivan also said that Patrick’s administration has a history of being tough on the utility companies.
“This administration…has been the hardest in terms of making sure it (DPU) performs its regulatory roll over the public utilities…and has levied the heaviest penalties,” said Sullivan.
Patrick explained that he doesn’t run the utility companies and has been getting the same updates as everybody else. When asked if he was surprised by what he saw in Belchertown, Patrick said that he was “more than surprised” and that he was “upset.”
“I’m looking for the same answers you are looking for…We’ve been getting the same projections you have been getting,” said Patrick. He is also aware that National Grid’s projections are inaccurate.
While some residents were expressing their frustrations with National Grid and the power restoration effort, Carl Dunne of Stebbins Street wasn’t shy with town officials regarding today’s closure of the shelter.
“You still have all of these power lines down, you got all of the trees, it’s getting windy out…You are putting the children’s education first over the safety of those kids…That shelter should be open and it should be open right away,” said Dunne.
Brougham said there is no plan to re-open the shelter, however.
Marcie McCullough shared her struggle with the governor.
“I don’t have $500 to buy new food. All of our food is bad…We have no phone, no tv, we have animals…I’m not really a complainer…I don’t even want to be in my house,” said McCullough as she began to weep.
After his visit to town hall, the governor toured Ledgewood Drive to survey the damage. There were no National Grid crews working on that street at the time.
Maxim Stolyarov of 10 Ledgewood Drive was clearing debris in his front yard when the governor, town officials, and press stopped by. Ledgewood Drive still has wires on the roads.
The governor asked Stolyarov about the information that he was receiving from National Grid. Stolyarov said that he keeps on hearing “tomorrow.” The governor offered his encouragement and told him to “hang in there.”
Patrick also spent some time talking to Wendy Querios whose brother was affected by the tornado that struck Monson in June. Querios showed the governor a couple of buckets in her driveway on Ledgewood Drive.
“We’re collecting water out of the drain gutters to put down the septic systems. We are melting snow on top of the wood stove to do dishes…I honestly feel that I am in the early 1900’s, like I should be kneading the bread and beating the rugs with a broom,” said Querios.
Querios also applauded Tractor Supply.
“I think our only saving grace…was Tractor Supply. They were open at 8 AM on Sunday morning. It was remarkable,” she said.
While Patrick said that he was struck by the sense of community in the face of the challenges people are dealing with every day, he was critical of National Grid.
“Grid needs to deal with this. In other communities similarly affected, the utilities need to deal with this and they need to get the people accurate information,” said Patrick.
Patrick left town after his visit to Ledgewood Drive. A Belchertown resident was his state police pilot.
Members of the Board of Selectmen were pleased with the governor’s visit. Board of Selectmen Chairman Kenneth Elstein said that Patrick’s visit was good for Belchertown’s recovery effort.
“I think that the problem is at the highest management level and I think that the governor is perhaps the only one who might be able to reach those people,” said Elstein who also credited the National Grid people working in town.
Selectman Brenda Aldrich said that, while she thought that the governor’s visit was more than just political glad handing, she is concerned about what comes next for those most affected by the storm.
“I really do think that he wasn’t pandering to us. I think that he was very concerned…My concern is what is going to happen when everyone is up. What is going to happen with the people who need food in their refrigerators,” said Aldrich, adding that the financial burdens of families will be an issue.
Selectman Ron Aponte was also appreciative for Patrick’s visit and echoed his fellow board member’s sentiments.
“I was very appreciative. I believe that it was absolutely sincere…I think that he will be making some phone calls and having some very frank discussions with the appropriate people at National Grid,” said Aponte.
In a statement from Massachusetts National Grid President Marcy Reed, she summed up the utility company’s progress and provided another estimate as to when power will be restored.
“We have restored power to more than 90% of our customers across the state, but as of 5 PM on Friday, we still have about 32,000 customers without power, primarily in Western Massachusetts, which was hit hardest by the storm…We expect many towns to be fully restored tonight, with the lion’s share of the restoration complete by Saturday…Repairs to wires that serve some individual homes will continue into Sunday,” Reed stated.
While there is currently a large National Grid presence in town, Department of Public Works Director Steve Williams told Belchertown-News.com that, as of 2:30 PM Friday afternoon, not a single additional home had its power restored. However, a CTY call that went out Friday night stated that as of 5:00 pm 38% of households have had their power restored with more circuits being activated throughout the night. Six days after the storm, 62% of Belchertown households remain without power—down from 69% this morning.
This afternoon, a National Grid public relations bus was parked at the town center parking lot. National Grid’s Kim Schneider said that their purpose is to answer questions that the public can not get from calling customer service.
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