Selectmen mourn “Bennie” and grill Nstar for outages
Published on August 22nd, 2001
STONEHAM, MA- Remembering Pasquariello
Last week's Board of Selectmen meeting began with a moment of silence for long time resident Bennie Pasquariello who dieda last month.
Planning Board Chairman Gus Niewenhous described Pasquariello's many activities and accomplishments in Stoneham, including acting as Civil Defense Director, Fuel Assistance Director, Chief of Auxiliary Police, Constable, and supporter of Stoneham's Auxiliary Fire Department.
He was also involved in Stoneham's Red Cross, Stoneham Kiwanis, Chamber of Commerce and worked with organizations that raised funds for disabled children.
Niewenhous called Pasquar-iello "feisty" and "fearless" and said that he could debate "anyone on an intellectual or business issue in a bulldog style," but would return to his normal, docile self when the discussion ended.
"(He would) debate to death ... but never be disagreeable afterward."
"To know Bennie was to love him," said Niewenhous. "God bless you, Bennie."
NStar Problems
In other news, a combination of bad weather and bad luck is what led to the frequent and prolonged power outages across town this summer, according to the electric company.
NStar representatives appeared before the Board of Selectmen last Tuesday in an attempt to explain why so many Stoneham residents have been left in the dark in recent weeks.
According to NStar, the recent heat wave was not enough, in and of itself, to cause the system to fail. Rather, it was that heat wave, in combination with severe lightning, particularly that which occurred on June 30 and July 1, as well as mechanical failure at a station in Woburn, which translated in lost power for much of the town.
This was, NStar officials said, "an abnormal summer."
For some, like residents on Mauriello Drive, the wait for power to return on one occasion was excessive, up to 29 hours by some reports.
Selectman Cosmo Ciccarello worried about residents' ability to communicate their problems to NStar, and said that even Stoneham's Police Department has had trouble getting through to the company on its dedicated line.
"My concern is, I call up ... you get a machine, that machine gives you another machine ... you're on the phone for a half an hour and nobody says hello .... To me, that's not service," Ciccarello said.
Selectmen also inquired about back-up procedures during outages for those residents with medical equipment powered by electricity.
"There is no way that the company can guarantee electricity 24 hours a day, seven days a week, forever ... (Those residents) really need to have a back-up plan in the event that something happens," said NStar's Community Relations representative Bill Zamporelli.
However, NStar does maintain a listing of at-risk individuals which includes names provided by doctors, and is shared with police departments. A report back to the Selectmen, based on Tuesday night's concerns, will be issued by NStar and will include information regarding how residents can be included on that list.
With regard to Selectmen Chairman Anthony Kennedy's question about compensation to residents who sustain loss during prolonged and/or frequent power outages, such as with food or appliances, NStar advised that the company has a risk administration department that evaluates claims on a case by case basis. More information on that will also be included in NStar's report.
In addition, NStar will research the history of outages in specified areas, beginning with Walsh Avenue, Dinanno Road, Ellen Road, Avalon Road, Mauriello Drive and Main Street, south of Montvale.
The report is also expected to include information on NStar's energy efficiency programs, the police department's access problems and in general, what NStar is doing to improve service to Stoneham.
Money wanted
Finance Board Chairman Richard Gregorio wrote a letter to the state auditor requesting more money for Stoneham.
Gregorio asserts that Stoneham is unfairly excluded from the state's PILOT (Payment in Lieu of Taxes) Program.
One-third of Stoneham land is MDC property and generates no tax revenue. Other communities with state land, such as Reading, North Andover, Waltham, Bedford, and Saugus, receive money annually from the state to make up for the tax-exempt status of such property.
The reason that Stoneham misses out, according to Gregorio, is not exactly clear. At one time, the state said that MDC land is not owned by the state, but Gregorio researched that point and found that was not the case.
Stoneham's three legislators, State Representatives Paul Casey and Mike Festa and State Senator Richard Tisei are pushing for amending the PILOT program so that towns such as Stoneham will be eligible for funding.
"I'm just going to continue to be a bother until they shut me up," Gregorio said. The letter was mailed on Monday.
Sidewalk woes
Department of Public Works Director Robert Grover responded to Selectman Mary Pecoraro's concern for the lack of sidewalks on Park Street.
According to Grover, there is a priority list established by the Selectmen, but up until last week, Park Street was not on it.
Park Street, from Maple Street to Marble Street, lacks one continuous sidewalk on either side, and poses a safety hazard to pedestrians.
Since 1998, Town Meeting has appropriated $150,000 annually for sidewalk construction or repair. Sometimes additional state money is available, in the form of Chapter 90 funds, when the work is done in conjunction with roadway repairs.
On average, about 1 mile of sidewalk is completed each year. Stoneham has about 75 miles of sidewalk running through the town.
Work has already begun on sidewalks on Upland Road and Elm Street. Many other roads are scheduled for sidewalk work this year, including portions of Pine, Chestnut, North, Cottage, Pond, Spencer, Summer and Montvale, but Grover cautioned that it is likely not all will be completed this year.
With help from the town's GIS system, Grover plans on mapping out and rating roadways in need of sidewalk work. The Selectmen will then assign priorities. Park Street should now appear somewhere on that priority list.
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