Foxborough, Surrounding Towns are Knocked Out Cold

Only two months after went without power for days after Tropical Storm Irene, residents are faced with the possibility of more cold nights without power.

"With all this technology, you think they would be able to tell us when power would be restored," said selectmen James DeVellis, who is disappointed with National Grid's response. "They made a lot of promises [after Irene]."

According to Foxborough's Town Manager Kevin Paicos, National Grid sent only two utility trucks to assess the damage Sunday and clean up will begin later on Monday.

Officials reported Monday morning that power may be up and running in sections of town today. National Grid says the main feeder lines coming into the area are working and that they are now checking sub-stations.

Foxborough officials, who at the Burrell School Sunday, are urging residents to evacuate their homes for warmer alternatives. The National Weather Service is predicting extremely cold nighttime temperatures through Thursday.

Foxborough's public schools will be closed Tuesday. The Foxborough Regional Charter School will reopen Tuesday morning.

While power restoration efforts will continue in town, Foxborough officials are most concerned with the public's safety first and foremost, prompting selectmen to recommend that residents do not trick or treat Monday.

"It is a real safety issue and we hope residents understand," said selectmen James DeVellis.

With safety top of mind, officials are doing all that they can to make sure people stay warm throughout what many residents say is an "inexcusable disaster." 

"I was frustrated with Irene, but this is a whole new level. It is cold out now and I am concerned for the rest of winter. This can't happen everytime a "minor storm" blows through Foxborough - what happens when we truly get "the big one?" said Foxborough resident Jon Lally.

In terms of National Grid's response, Paicos said that there will be "an accounting later.”

In a recent Foxborough Patch poll, believe that National Grid still lacks in their response and communication efforts from Tropical Storm Irene.

Surrounding communities are also waking up frustrated. 

State Sen. Richard Ross (R-Wrentham) told the Boston Herald, "I can remember a month ago at a meeting to discuss National Grid’s response to Hurricane Irene saying, ‘Thank God it didn’t happen in the wintertime - Here we are in winter in a similar circumstance.”

National Grid spokeswoman Deborah Drew said in a recent Boston Herald report that, “communication is key during a situation like this, and we will continue our dialogue with local, state and federal officials as we work through the restoration effort."

As of 6:00pm Monday, 7,138 out of 7,816 National Grid customers in Foxborough are without power. 4,357 out of 4,644 customers in Wrentham are also without power. Franklin was another hard hit area with 6,614 customers out of 12,708 left powerless.