Foxborough Updates: Enroll In Code Red, Continue to Check on Neighbors

Foxborough officials including selectmen Mark Sullivan and James DeVellis; Town Manager Kevin Paicos; Deputy Fire Chief Steven Bagley; Vicki Lowe; Superintendent of Schools Debra Spinelli; Robert Swanson, P.E./Highway Superintendent and National Grid liaison to Foxborough, Tom Coughlin met Wednesday morning at the Foxborough Public Safety Building to discuss the ongoing power restoration efforts in town.

As of 4:00pm, 95 percent of Foxborough has been restored with power. Coughlin urged residents without power to call the non-emergency phone line for updates on individual home services and neighborhoods.

The emergency shelter at the Burrell School is no longer open. The McGinty Room at the Public Safety Building is available for anyone in need of shelter. 

Here is an overview of the other topics discussed:

• The Foxborough compost area is open 7:30-5:30pm 7-days a week. The Highway Dept. will be picking up debris in town right-of-ways throughout the week. The town will only pick up the limbs that originated in or near the town right of way and cannot pick up anybody’s private property trees/limbs.
• Sign up to get your cell phone number/email on Foxborough's emergency call list to receive updates during emergencies. Click here to enter your information.
• Foxborough selectmen are not .for the official statement.
• Officials are encouraging residents to file any homeowner claims right away. "Do not wait, as some contracts will require you to do so within 48 hours." FEMA disaster aid for Foxborough is TBA.  The town may not know for another 10-14 days.
• No injuries were reported from this storm; no equipment suffered damaged.
• If you have tree damage on your property and hire a tree contractor, officials urge residents to have the contractor take a "hard look" at the trees and to air on caution for anticipation of the next storm. Residents should look at limbs that need to be taken down. 
• Senior housing in town do not currently have generators. Officials are starting an effort through federal means to get generators in senior housing. 
• Selectmen have invited Marcy Reed of National Grid to their next board meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 8 at 7:00pm at Foxborough High School. Reed has not yet confirmed. Officials encourage residents to attend and to make their voice heard.
• The town says in emergencies, residents really do need to check on their neighbors and relatives.
• Foxborough can file complaints against National Grid through DPU. DPU and the attorney general have the authority to pursue and recommend fines on utility companies. "We have no independent authority, we must go through DPU," said Paicos. Selectmen encourage residents to attend DPU hearings (click here to view) and to contact their
• Rep. Dan Winslow is championing a bill that would require electric utilities to give their customers rebates for prolonged outages. Call your state representatives if you believe Foxborough residents’ should support this.

The next town update will take place at 4:00pm Wednesday, Nov. 2 at the Foxborough Public Safety Building.