National Grid Union Deal Will Avert Strike

A tentative contract deal was reached on Saturday night.

National Grid reached a tentative four-year agreement with its union on Saturday night that will avert a strike, reports the Springfield Republican. The company serves electric and gas customers in Hamilton and Wenham. In late April, the company's unions voted to authorize a strike if a new contract agreement could not be reached. The former contact expired this weekend. The paper reported that the Brotherhood of Utility Workers reached an four-year contract agreement with National Grid on Saturday night that gives workers a 2.5 percent and keep staffing levels constant. National Grid will continue to pay 20 percent of healthcare costs, Paul W. Morrison, president of the Brotherhood of Utility Workers Local 322 told the paper. To read the …

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Have You Seen the Low-Flying Helicopters?

There have been low-flying helicopters over the area in recent weeks.

You may may have noticed helicopters flying low in the area this week. And several people have been asking what's that's all about. At least one reader saw one flying low over Pingree Park last week and snapped a photo. Don't worry, it's not a manhunt or a prep for martial law. It's just National Grid inspecting its transmission lines. The company's maintenance division started its first visual inspection program by air for New England on Monday, utilizing blue and yellow Bell Jet-Ranger helicopters from JBI Helicopters out of New Hampshire. "In addition to damaged lines, towers or trees, the flights are conducted to identify signs of waste disposal or unauthorized construction on the rights of way. These could alter the amount of …

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Patch Facts

Five Things to Know on May 10: Deadline to Learn the Life-Saving Skills of CPR

An essential get-me-going daily morning column from Hamilton-Wenham Patch.

Today is Friday, May 10. Here are five things you need to know in Hamilton and Wenham:  1. Mix: The sky is forecasted to be a mix of sun and clouds on Friday with temperatures into the mid-70s. There’s still a chance of a shower and the day will start out foggy. 2. Leaves: Yard waste and leaves will be picked up just once at the curbside and roadside this spring in Hamilton, and that day is Saturday. Have the leaves out in bags or barrels by 7 a.m. so they will be picked up. 3. National Grid: The Bristish-owned utility that serves electric and gas customers in Hamilton and Wenham – National Grid – will see the contracts for several of its unions expire on Saturday. The unions have previously voted to authorize a strike. 4. CPR: If you want…

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National Grid Unions Vote to Authorize Strike

Members of the Brotherhood of Utility Workers and Local 369 have voted to authorize a strike against National Grid.

National Grid utility workers unions voted Friday to authorize a strike due to several issues involving personnel payroll and storm response, according to the Boston Herald. National Grid serves electric and gas customers in Hamilton and Wenham. Comprised of six local unions, the Brotherhood of Utility Workers and Local 369 have taken the vote as union representatives are in the middle of negotiations to replace the contract that expires May 11.  “The mistakes and mismanagement at this company are out of control," said Dan Hurley, president of the Brotherhood of Utility Workers Council and Local 369. “The continuous failures of National Grid are a direct slap in the face to ratepayers and taxpayers throughout Massachusetts and Rhode Island…

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National Grid Says It Is Ready for Approaching Snowstorm

The heavy, wet snow predicted for this weekend's snowstorm could pull down trees and wires and cause power outages, and National Grid says it is ready.

National Grid said Friday that it is ready for a forecasted snowstorm this weekend that could include heavy, wet snow that could cause power outages. The company said it was preparing for the possibility of scattered power outages. And while the path of the storm was being monitored, crew assignments were being developed and equipment readied in anticipation of harsh weather. “Our storm preparation started in earnest several days ago so we could make sure we are in the best position possible to respond quickly and safely to potential outages that may occur as a result of this storm,” said Kathy Lyford, vice president, New England Operations said in an announcement issued by the company on Friday. “We are continuing to monitor the track and…

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Police Warn of National Grid Scam That Demands Payment, Threatens Shut-off

National Grid customers have recently been targeted by scammers that threaten payments and shut-off of electricity.

The Hamilton Police Department is warning National Grid customers about an utility bill scam that has emerged in recent days. National Grid said that its electric customers have received telephone calls from people claiming that they work for the company, demanding payment through a pre-paid card. The caller tells customers they have past due balances for electric accounts and threatens them that their service will immediately be shut-off for non-payment. ln some cases the caller also tells the customer that they may have a faulty meter that is dangerous and in need of replacing - at a high cost. National Grid reminds customers that the electric meter is the property of the company and customers are not responsible to replace it. National …

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UPDATED: Power Restored to Hundreds of Homes in Hamilton

A widespread power outage in Essex affected portions of Hamilton on Monday afternoon.

UPDATE: Monday, 2:44 pm.: Power has been restored to more than 300 homes on the eastern side of Hamilton that lost electricity on Monday afternoon. National Grid spokeswoman Charlotte McCormack said a branch that fell on wires on Eastern Avenue in Essex was the cause of the outage at about 1:30 p.m. About 2,000 homes and business were affected, with the bulk of those in Essex. But about 300 customers along Bridge, Essex and Sagamore streets in Hamilton also lost power. Power was restored by 2:15 p.m., McCormack said. Original Story A power outage that is affecting most of the town of Essex has also put more than 300 homes in Hamilton into the dark on Monday afternoon. The outage occurred at about 1:30 p.m. and is affecting 326 electric …

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Save Money and Stay Safe While Entertaining at Christmas

National Grid, the electricity and gas utility that serves Hamilton and Wenham, offers some energy-saving and safety tips for Christmas and the holiday season.

National Grid offers some simple energy efficiency and safety tips for families and residents while their entertain guests this holiday season. National Grid is the electric and gas utility that serves Hamilton and Wenham. Holiday Entertaining Energy-Saving Tips: •Holiday Cooking: Use the smallest appliance, pan and burner while cooking to save energy. For example, microwave ovens require less than half the energy of a conventional oven. Slow cookers are great ways to cook for a family and save money. On average, a whole meal can be cooked in a slow cooker for 17 cents worth of electricity. •Smart Baking: Improve oven efficiency by keeping the doors closed as much as possible and baking several dishes at the same time and temperature. • …

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Upgrades Could Help Cut Number, Length of Power Outages

National Grid on Thursday is unveiling an $11 million dollar project to upgrade service on Cape Ann and the North Shore that will benefit customers in Hamilton and Wenham.

National Grid will announce Thursday a $11 million dollar electrical infrastructure improvement project it says will improve service reliability in Hamilton and Wenham. The company is upgrading 15 miles of underground cable systems that will add capacity to its distribution system as well as add redundancy to its system that it says will help in the event of a power outage. The improvements will also add reliability to service in Essex, Gloucester, Manchester-by-the-Sea and Rockport. “A top priority at National Grid is to provide safe and reliable service to customers and businesses in the communities we serve,” said Marcy Reed, president of National Grid in Massachusetts in the company's written announcement of the work. “Continuous …

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State Fines National Grid Millions for Failed Storm Responses

National Grid was fined nearly $19 million, the highest fine levied against utilities in Massachusetts for its response to two storms in 2011.

The state on Tuesday ordered a total of $24.8 million in penalties to utility companies for their response to storms in 2011, including $19 million for National Grid, the company that serves Hamilton and Wenham. Massachusetts Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Rick Sullivan joined Department of Public Utilities (DPU) Chairman Ann Berwick and DPU commissioners on Tuesday to announce the findings of the DPU’s investigation into responses to Tropical Storm Irene and the October 2011 snowstorm. Provided the penalties hold up, customers should see a reduction in their bill, though it is unclear how much, officials said.  National Grid faces the steepest penalty, at $18.725 million. NSTAR has been ordered to pay $4.075 million, while the…

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