Mass. governor signs utility legislation - Sentinel & Enterprise

State and local officials packed into Lunenburg Town Hall Thursday to witness Gov.

[Eyes]

It is certainly appropriate to see all the big names in Lunenburg for the signing of the "Unitil" bill. Many voiced the concern that it is only the first step in making Unitil accountable. Wouldn't it have been nice to have the millionare head of Unitil present? As a Lunenburg resident I always come home to flashing stove, etc... lights on blue sky days. Is anybody listening to that?

[WTF]

Yeah the politicians still don't get it! This bill leaves Unitil in place with their high rates and dismal service. During the Ice storm and several days later the only way I saw a Unitil truck was to drive down to John Fitch Highway. What a joke... The people want Unitil out as a service provider because of YEARS of poor Service and the Ice Storm was the topping of that cake.

[J_in_Ward_1]

It's a start. Next up: the legislature needs to pass Mass Muni Choice legislation so we have the option to set up our own utility company without Unitil vetoing us.

Hey Unitil, this bill passed unanimously. And the governor made a special trip out to your customers' turf to sign it. All this was because of a great public outcry which continues unabated. When will you get the hint - you're not wanted, go away! You can keep shelling out money to Eberle but it won't change the facts. You are the epitome of non grata.

[Jim]

I guess it's a start, but bottom line is that Unitil needs to go, and their corruption must end.

We would still be without power if the Governor had not stepped in last December and brought in other utility companies to take over.

We also have to applaud Lunenburg for continuing their efforts , the other communities have just let it go and have gone back to accepting poor service.

Thank you Lunenburg...

[bannerboy]

Watch out Wesley Eberle! You could get pretty dizzy from all that spinning. 28 recommendations, huh? That's a pretty BIG number! Poor Yardley would have had an easier time studying what Unitil did right during the storm. Nothing! Real Democrats in Massachusetts are ashamed of DINOs (Democrats In Name Only) like you and that includes all your handlers at O'Neill and Associates. The folks want to know why you're defending Unitil and taking their dirty money. Tip must be turning over in his grave every time you open your mouth. Where's the shame?

[Cathy]

The efforts absolutely continue...this is just ONE step forward in giving us some level of protection this winter. Whining, complaining and even name bashing of polticians does not get ANYONE ANYWHERE. We DO however have the power to create change.
I had received a call from Gov. Patrick's aide the day before telling me he wanted to do this; it is obvious the continued efforts are being heard loudly. With outages on blue sky days and continued overbilling practices it is critical to continue reporting their actions(DPU online complaint form at www.mass.gov/dpu ) and further attending OR submitting written testimony as a ratepayer as well.
Please also note that an ANNIVERSARY PROTEST IS PLANNED FOR SAT, DEC.13TH from Noon - 3 PM in front of Unitil on JF Hghwy, Fitchburg. Thus far we have a number of high profile people at the state level expressing interest in attending.
For more information or to review the "Unitil Bill" in it's entirety, please join us at:
get-rid-of-Unitil@googlegroups .com or email me:
[e-mail].

[listen]

WTF wrote:

Yeah the politicians still don't get it! This bill leaves Unitil in place with their high rates and dismal service. During the Ice storm and several days later the only way I saw a Unitil truck was to drive down to John Fitch Highway. What a joke... The people want Unitil out as a service provider because of YEARS of poor Service and the Ice Storm was the topping of that cake.

I think you don't get it-if it was easy as you want it to be for the governmment to take over any company or throw them out we'd be living in anarchy with real socialism.
What I heard them say repeatedly is this is one step with many more to go.
Mass Muni choice needs to be enacted.
Unitil needs to eat their recovery costs.
Those are the next two steps

[Cathy]

listen wrote:

<quoted text>
I think you don't get it-if it was easy as you want it to be for the governmment to take over any company or throw them out we'd be living in anarchy with real socialism.
What I heard them say repeatedly is this is one step with many more to go.
Mass Muni choice needs to be enacted.
Unitil needs to eat their recovery costs.
Those are the next two steps

Absolutely correct....and on that note it is important to write in support of muni legislation....check out: www.massmunichoice.com a new website under construction will also contain the information:
www.getridofunitil.com Please do check back. This site is not to be confused with any others:)........

[Wiv]

I have no more trees to fall so maybe Unitil will luck out this winter, but like others say I get home from work many evenings on clear days to find the power had gone out during the day. I also find that for someone who lives alone and is gone all day the bill is just too much.

[LINCOLN STREET]

Hey mayor WRONG, you missed a photo op here.
Oh Yeah you were at unitils headquarters accepting you weekly paycheck while celebrating this weak and overdue bill.

[hhnb]

yea but notice it doesnt do anything for what happened last year..just like the golden parachute boys of wall street got way with it,,,wheres the State D.A. why isnt there any chargese,,why does other towns get power half as cheap as this area,why doesnt lunenburg have a choice?????????? littleton light dept. for example

[hhnb]

bunch of crooks from nh run unitil..go back to nh,,there rates are appalling if not illegal..wheres the STATE DA

[WTF]

listen wrote:

<quoted text>
I think you don't get it-if it was easy as you want it to be for the governmment to take over any company or throw them out we'd be living in anarchy with real socialism.
What I heard them say repeatedly is this is one step with many more to go.
Mass Muni choice needs to be enacted.
Unitil needs to eat their recovery costs.
Those are the next two steps

And how much do you think those hearings cost at the DPU in April of this year? With the conclusion of we can't do anything to them. Please even the politicians can't go after Unitil directly. Yes I agree that steps are being taken but it is not what the majority wants to see happen after years of high rates and poor service.

[What]

LINCOLN STREET wrote:

Hey mayor WRONG, you missed a photo op here.
Oh Yeah you were at unitils headquarters accepting you weekly paycheck while celebrating this weak and overdue bill.

Mayor Wong was there along with the Townsend Town Administrator and an Ashby Selectman.

[King of information]

you can not fix stupid and this company is the worst utility i have ever seen.kick them out is the only answer here..

[Mike from Leominster]

My question is why was Rice there?

[Mike from Leominster]

LINCOLN STREET wrote:

Hey mayor WRONG, you missed a photo op here.
Oh Yeah you were at unitils headquarters accepting you weekly paycheck while celebrating this weak and overdue bill.

The photo was all state officials and legislators.

She probably couldn't win with you. If she were in the photo you'd call her a publicity hound who didn't do anything, so STFU

[Doug]

What happened to benson's hair? Did she stick her finger in a light socket?

[citizen from Lunenburg]

Doug wrote:

What happened to benson's hair? Did she stick her finger in a light socket?

Don't you have anything better to say than talk about a hair do? Get a life Doug...congratulations to the Benson and Flanagan for working to help our communities.

[Tiffany from Fitchburg]

I think it's great that the Governor came to Lunenburg to sign this bill. You can agree or disagree with what he is doing in office, but, unlike most prior governors he has paid special attention to Central Mass.

The Mass Muni Legislation is absolutely the next step. I implore everyone that wants Unitil GONE to please contact your reps in support of this bil.