DeMartino To Launch Unitil Campaign

Save Fitchburg Exclusive

In an impromptu meeting today with city officials at the City Hall Cafe, Governor Deval Patrick asked Councillor DeMartino what he might do to help Fitchburg. DeMartino told him of the residents' and businesses' economic difficulties due to exorbitant gas and electricity bills. Patrick introduced DeMartino to Robert G. Nunes, Deputy Commissioner and Director of Municipal Affairs, Department of Revenue Division of Local Services to follow up.

DeMartino says that numerous citizens (including this one) have spoken to her about an apparent huge increases in their utility bills since installation of the new electronic meters. Now in theory, computers don't make mistakes. But in reality it appears that coincidental to the installation of these new magic meters, distribution charges and other fees have skyrocketed. There are even reports of people who have been away for an extended period of time who have returned to higher bills during their absence than when they were using the utilities.

I'm joining in Councillor DeMartino's campaign to collect facts and evidence. We can complain until the cows come home about our escalating Unitil bills. But if we each do our research and obtain printouts of our last 12 months usage either by request of Unitil or by using their website (WWW.UNITIL.COM), we can analyze for ourselves and reach our own conclusions.

I have done so. That is why I am participating in this activity. There is no rhyme nor reason to my personal electric and gas charge escalations despite having gone cold and living in the dark throughout the whole winter. There also is no rhyme nor reason to a total usage of less than $100 in one month amount to an almost $500 gas and light bill.

If I'm in that boat, I can only imagine that many of the rest of us are as well.

So, here's what Councillor DeMartino requests of anyone who would like to see Unitil come before the council to explain itself:

Come to Ms. DeMartino's place of business Tuesday through Friday 7 AM to 2 PM and sign the petition requesting Unitil officials to answer questions of the council and the public.
Location to sign the petition: Brownie's Tea and Talk 134 Harvard St.
It would be helpful if you're willing to provide a copy of your Unitil bill, preferably a printout for the past year of usage and charges.

Shalom