* Water Co. issue: We heard from the water company after pressure (no pun intended) was applied by local legislators. From a sample of 8 cases of overbilling they admitted and rectified 4, and the remaining four had a variety of issues such as they were unable to read the meter so they estimated the bills on the high side. The Civics held a couple of discussions on the phone with their VP in charge of Operations and we demanded given the results they review any other local resident's complaints about their bill. The Civics will be asking neighbors across GH and GWL to submit their names and addresses so we can submit a master list of folks who feel their bills have been extremely high and we will track for a response. So we will be urging everyone - especially those with older meters that seem to be ones affected - to submit their names and addresses for review. We heard from the AG's office, however, they have not been of much help, other than letting us know that they have "noted" our complaints. It appears that if we submit individual complaints the AG's office may act on the issue more so that if we submitted a global complaint via the Civics, so we will be releasing a complaint form for all GH and GWL neighbors to fill out and either fax or mail to the AG's office. If you believe your bills have been affected, as many in the GH community feel, please send me an en email with simply your name and address and we will include you on a master list we are preparing to send to the water company as they have agreed to revisit the bills of anyone who is on the list to be submitted.
* Sunoco/Bank property: While Sunoco and Bank continue to discuss the various small differences on the contract, the Civics filed a written complaint to Sunoco on their lack of maintenance of the property, starting with excessive signs as well as the inside appearance of the property. They replied quickly and advised us that they will send their maintenance crew, however, this means a "one time" clean up, while the Civics are looking for ongoing maintenance. A stronger reply is being sent by the Civics to Sunoco to ensure better follow up on the property while the negotiations continue.
* Sign at former Badge property: The Civics succeeded in having the Town Code Enforcement visit and enforce the taking down of a sign that had not been approved by the Town. The Town has notified the Civics that they have notified the business that they will not be allowed to open for business until the Town reviews and approves the new sign. The Civics will track the progress.
* National Grid Plant: The Civics held a meeting two weeks ago with senior management of National Grid. About a dozen Civic representatives attended this informative meeting where a presentation was made about the demolition and a discussion was held on they future of the plant. While the demolition seems to be progressing the discussions on the future of the plant weren't as satisfactory as NG management did not express any desire to move forward just yet with either leasing or selling the vacated segments of the property thus hope for future tax income did not seem to be in the horizon. We have invited the same representatives to a Town Hall meeting with the community, they have agreed to attend the meeting and we are in the stages of planning it for mid December. We will notify everyone of the exact date of the meeting which will likely be held at the NS HS. In the meantime, last Friday while the demolition of one of the stacks was taking place the windy day created a significant spread of dust around the GWL area immediate to the plant. This created an uproar in the immediate community adjacent to the plant and the news and the Town were called to the scene. The Civics have lodged a written complain and we have been advised they are looking into the way the stacks were demolished causing the dust to fly all around the area.
As always we encourage everyone to join your local Civic Associations.
Regards,
* Sunoco/Bank property: While Sunoco and Bank continue to discuss the various small differences on the contract, the Civics filed a written complaint to Sunoco on their lack of maintenance of the property, starting with excessive signs as well as the inside appearance of the property. They replied quickly and advised us that they will send their maintenance crew, however, this means a "one time" clean up, while the Civics are looking for ongoing maintenance. A stronger reply is being sent by the Civics to Sunoco to ensure better follow up on the property while the negotiations continue.
* Sign at former Badge property: The Civics succeeded in having the Town Code Enforcement visit and enforce the taking down of a sign that had not been approved by the Town. The Town has notified the Civics that they have notified the business that they will not be allowed to open for business until the Town reviews and approves the new sign. The Civics will track the progress.
* National Grid Plant: The Civics held a meeting two weeks ago with senior management of National Grid. About a dozen Civic representatives attended this informative meeting where a presentation was made about the demolition and a discussion was held on they future of the plant. While the demolition seems to be progressing the discussions on the future of the plant weren't as satisfactory as NG management did not express any desire to move forward just yet with either leasing or selling the vacated segments of the property thus hope for future tax income did not seem to be in the horizon. We have invited the same representatives to a Town Hall meeting with the community, they have agreed to attend the meeting and we are in the stages of planning it for mid December. We will notify everyone of the exact date of the meeting which will likely be held at the NS HS. In the meantime, last Friday while the demolition of one of the stacks was taking place the windy day created a significant spread of dust around the GWL area immediate to the plant. This created an uproar in the immediate community adjacent to the plant and the news and the Town were called to the scene. The Civics have lodged a written complain and we have been advised they are looking into the way the stacks were demolished causing the dust to fly all around the area.
As always we encourage everyone to join your local Civic Associations.
Regards,