Town Manager Delivers National Grid Update

Town Manger Kevin Paicos is suggesting that Foxborough becomes more proactive in regards to keeping the power on.

Paicos presented the latest National Grid updates to selectmen Tuesday night. Paicos recently reached out to Marcy Reed, President of National Grid Massachusetts, inviting her to a future board meeting. He stated that Reed would most likely not be making an appearance anytime soon at town hall and instead provided a letter to the board.

Paicos noted that it was his belief that Reed's reluctance to appear in Foxborough is due in part to the ongoing investigation by DPU. 

"Pending reaching a conclusion, she does not want to be in a public form," he said, continuing, "so I think that’s why you don’t see her here in person."

The letter from Reed stated the following:

• DPU is continuing their investigation
• National Grid has been in town for the past 4-5 weeks removing hangers
• National Grid is conducting inspections of the network, making the required repairs
• Crews are currently working on the union loop
• National Grid recently had a review of new procedures

Paicos followed up the letter items by saying, "best your going to get until DPU makes their decision."

The current town budget draft includes a request for a 70-foot bucket truck and the hiring of two new workers. Paicos concluded that the recommendation of buying a truck and hiring new workers "is a reflection of the fact that National Grid will not do the job."

"We can take the bull by the horns and we can do part of the job ourselves," he said. "They will have crews here [but] we cannot count on them. It is a darn shame that the tax payers have to do that."

Selectman James DeVellis believes National Grid should come to the table and is something the town should not have to pay for. Members suggested subbing out for work instead of hiring full time as one possible solution.