Repeat Lack of Performance in Foxborough?

Many residents from Foxborough and surrounding communities woke up Monday with a severe case of déjà vu.

“Here we go again,” said Foxborough resident Jon Lally concerning the extremely high percentage, approximately 90 percent, of Foxborough that was left without power since Saturday night.

It was only a mere two months ago that the town of Foxborough was left without power for over four days .

This time around, frustration has turned to anger for many people, and the residents of Foxborough want an answer or even more than that, electricity.

As one resident put it, "our bills come every 30 days, so when does our power?"

It was a little over a month ago when the town of to voice their extreme disappointment in National Grid’s response to the close to 100 percent power outage in town after The meeting was intended to begin a dialogue between the community and National Grid. The company’s Massachusetts’s President Marcy Reed and other representatives were present to answer questions. Promises were made, but have they been fulfilled?

In a recent , 97 percent of respondents believe that National Grid still lacks in communication and response efforts.

"Once again National Grid is leaving Foxborough in the dark both literally and figuratively.  Just like with Irene there are no repair trucks to be seen and no hope of relief.  As usual Mansfield and North Attelboro weathered the storm with hardly any disruption.  It would seem the time has come to follow their lead and set up a town power utility. I think we need to literally cut the cord and follow their example,” said resident Rick Sheehy.

This time around, residents are not taking the situation sitting down. They want to see sweeping changes and fast.

Suggestions have been pouring in through email and social media channels as to what the next step should be in order to ensure that communication and response efforts are at the level that customers and communities deserve and pay for.

“The town and state need to remove National Grid as the monopoly holder. They have not dedicated proper resources to our grid. We pay of the highest rates and receive lowest service,” said resident Howard Siegal. “National Grid believes they can move a skeleton crew around for service. But storms are never isolated. The cutbacks and cost savings only help NG's parent company (UK) company. Our elected officials are asleep at the switch. Gov. Deval Patrick and Martha Coakley needed to take strong action after Irene." 

Siegal went onto say, "our Federal officials have been no better. Barney Frank is worried about a $5 debit charge, yet a large part of his district is without power for am extended time for the second time in two months. State and Fed's have power to fine."

Foxborough’s town manager, Kevin Paicos, for National Grid’s “snowtober” response.

Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick held a press conference Monday morning, where a reporter asked if he was satisfied with the utility companies response to the record breaking

“I think the utility plans are sound and they are executing them well – the number of crews out is unprecedented," responded Governor Patrick.

Patrick also was asked if this type of response “is this the status quo."

“I hope the extraordinary weather [over the past couple of years is not the status quo].  Should all the lines be buried underground? That is a 1 trillion dollar project,” responded Patrick.

An authority from the DPU said, “clearly the investment in the infrastructure is something that has been given priority.”

What do you think should be the next action taken by Foxborough and the state?