Town offers ideas to NSTAR for handling next storm

Rather than complain about the lack of staff and insufficient response of NSTAR after the recent tropical storm, local officials have come up with specific solutions to help the utility company in the future.

On Tuesday night, Selectmen Chairman John Connolly and Selectman Victor Del Vecchio asked Fire Chief Charlie Doody, Police Chief Ken Berkowitz and DPW Superintendent Mike Trotta to write to the state Department of Public Utilities and NSTAR with their ideas.

Berkowitz reported that between 1,800 and 1,900 homes, or 20 percent of all Canton residences, were without power on Sunday, August 28, when Tropical Storm Irene struck the region. The following day, there were 400 to 500 homes still without power. The number gradually dropped throughout the week, and by Friday, all power had been restored

to all homes and at Canton High School. Ironically, the Galvin Middle School lost power on the first day of school on Tuesday, September 6, although it was restored by 8:30 a.m., according to School Superintendent Jeff Granatino.

Trotta, who predicted two days before the storm hit that NSTAR would not have sufficient staff to properly assist local communities, said it would help if the company would designate a staff person to work with each community and also train a member of the Fire Department to determine if a fallen wire has live power. Trotta said many more blocked roads could have been opened sooner if DPW workers did not have to wait for NSTAR workers to show up and determine if a fallen line was alive or dead.

Doody said NSTAR had no idea that the high school needed to have power because it had been designated as the town’s emergency shelter. Del Vecchio suggested that the town’s reverse 911 communication system could be used to alert residences when power would be restored. The reverse 911 system was used three times: once to alert residents of the coming storm, then on Sunday to ask residents to remain off the roads, and again on Monday morning to announce road closings.

Town Administrator Bill Friel said that the town, through selectmen, had declared an emergency and is now eligible to receive state and federal disaster money.

DPW crews began picking up branches and limbs curbside on Tuesday and will continue until September 23. A detailed pickup scheduled is available on the town’s website.

In other news, selectmen and the School Committee voted 8-0 on Tuesday night to appoint Jody Middleton of Canton as the town’s new human services administrator following an interview. The town received 49 applicants, and a 10-member committee, along with Friel, recommended Middleton. Friel said two other finalists had withdrawn from consideration prior to Tuesday night’s selectmen’s meeting.

Middleton has worked for Clean Harbors for the last four years as an employee benefits specialist and has extensive experience in human resource training, payroll, and administration. She acknowledged in her interview that she has limited experience in civil service law and contract negotiations but is willing to continue her education to increase her knowledge in these areas.

Middleton said one of the reasons she is willing to leave Clean Harbors is that she wants to become more involved in the town and to help “make a difference.”

The position pays up to $75,000 and her official appointment is pending successful contract negotiations.

In other news:

* The Bolivar Street culvert project was due to begin this week and last until September 14. Detours will be set up to divert traffic off the road.

* Harbar Inc. of 320 Turnpike Street, a manufacturer of tortillas and other food products, plans to expand its operations to 10 Pequot Way, and selectmen voted to designate this location as an Economic Opportunity Area, which would make the company eligible for certain state tax credits. Selectmen heard a presentation from Gene Manning of the Economic Development Committee, who strongly endorsed Harbar as an excellent business partner for Canton.

* Selectmen appointed former Sharon firefighter Patrick McGovern as a fi refighter /paramedic i n Canton.

* Selectmen approved an all-alcoholic beverage transfer from the Main Course at 11 Washington Street to Bay State Wine & Beer at 2740R Washington Street. In return, Bay State is transferring its wine and beer license to the Main Course.

* Selectmen announced a financial donation to the Youth Commission from Paul Schneiders.

* Selectmen will next meet on Tuesday, September 13, at 7 p.m.

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Posted by Mike Berger on Sep 7 2011. Filed under News, Town Government. Both comments and pings are currently closed.