There's an irony to the nearly two-hour power outage that 275 Warwick Neck customers, including Warwick Country Club, endured last weekend. The outage, one of several in recent months, has prompted Ward 5 Councilman Ed Ladouceur to look
This item is available in full to subscribers.
We have recently launched a new and improved website. To continue reading, you will need to either log into your subscriber account, or purchase a new subscription.
If you are a current print subscriber, you can set up a free website account by clicking here.
Otherwise, click here to view your options for subscribing.
Please log in to continue |
|
There’s an irony to the nearly two-hour power outage that 275 Warwick Neck customers, including Warwick Country Club, endured last weekend.
The outage, one of several in recent months, has prompted Ward 5 Councilman Ed Ladouceur to look into the situation and has him considering a Department of Public Works budget item dedicated to a program of tree trimming in proximity to power lines. Ladouceur also thinks National Grid should be held accountable for updating transformers and equipment to avert outages.
“I don’t think we’re talking about a little money,” Ladouceur said of the impact of an outage. “It’s a huge number.”
The councilman didn’t have specifics, but he observed that outages interrupt life-saving equipment and can result in extensive damage from frozen pipes, loss of freezer foods, loss of heat and the closure of businesses.
A constituent alerted Ladouceur by text of the most recent outage that occurred about 11 a.m. Saturday. He soon learned from his wife that their home in Anglesea had also lost power. Ladouceur immediately texted a contact at National Grid and alerted the police and fire departments.
It’s a procedure he follows with power outages. From there, if he learns of the location of downed wires or a transformer, he visits the site to personally assess the severity of the situation. During one outage, he went to check on a constituent’s claim that a National Grid crew was on site but doing nothing, just walking around. Indeed, that’s what Ladouceur found, but he quickly learned crew members were checking the neighborhood for home generators as they can back-feed downed lines and create dangerous conditions to the crew.
“I think the transformers and equipment is a big part of it, but it’s also the trees,” he said of Warwick Neck outages.
“We’ve got to start the conversation [with National Grid and the city DPW],” he added.
Because of its elevation and extensive tree cover, Ted Kresse, spokesman for National Grid, said Warwick Neck is “a little more susceptible” to outages.
He said the company spent $200,000 in the last year trimming trees directly above lines on Warwick Neck. He said Grid would welcome working with the city in further identifying and reducing branches and trees that could cause breaks.
As for the age of equipment and its replacement, he said the company follows an infrastructure safety and reliability plan that includes updating equipment as well as tree trimming. The annual cost of the program is $100 million.
And what was the cause of the most recent Warwick Neck outage?
Here’s the irony: Kresse said a crew was installing “spacers” between lines that would work to reduce outages.
Had the company alerted anyone in the city that the power would be shut off? The answer: apparently not.
That news set Ladouceur off. He was outraged that the company had not alerted authorities – including him – that there could be an interruption in power.
20 comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here
Apollo
suck it up buttercup
Thursday, November 7, 2019 Report this
Warwick_Resident1998
Loud mouth Ladouceur whining about the power being out for two whole hours.
Why am I not surprised?
Thursday, November 7, 2019 Report this
Samuel
Oh no!! The rich people on the Neck had no
power for two hours. The horror!!!
Thursday, November 7, 2019 Report this
Happy
Even I have to admit, this is hysterical!
Try losing your power for 2 days and then talk to me!
Friday, November 8, 2019 Report this
Happy
Even I have to admit, this is hysterical!
Try losing your power for 2 days and then talk to me!
Friday, November 8, 2019 Report this
JohnStark
Power was out on Warwick Neck for two hours in the middle of the day for reasons not attributable to a storm. Ladouceur complains about it, as is his responsibility. Not clear how either Ladouceur or the people of Warwick Neck, are at fault here. Nor am I clear how their financial status is relevant.
Friday, November 8, 2019 Report this
Apollo
They are rich down on the Neck. All should own generators anyways. Hurricanes usually whack and flood that area good.
Sunday, November 10, 2019 Report this
pallyboy
WOW!! What a bunch of ignorant people making comments here!!! SAMUEL...and APOLLO...don't you realize that there are plenty of average, hard working members of America's Disappearing Middle Class that live on Warwick Neck?? Must I remind you of the Senior Citizens on very low fixed incomes that live there and the Elderly that come to St. Elizabeth's Memory Center daily for care while their sons, daughters and spouses go to work and PAY Taxes!??
You may notice that not many "RICH FOLKS" from Warwick Neck are commenting here because they are BUSY...living their lives and WORKING...and contributing to their communities, something you should TRY! Sure, there are plenty of arrogant, well heeled folks on Warwick Neck, racing down Warwick Neck Avenue in their very expensive autos going 30 miles over the posted speed limit and riding the bumpers of the law abiding person in front of them, but you can experience that kind of self centered "ME-First" attitude almost anywhere today, whether you are on Warwick Neck or in Woonsocket!
You can hate the RICH but remember that many of them own businesses and work very hard to maintain what they have achieved in life; they create JOBS and Employ many people and when the Economy is Booming they create MORE Jobs that help folks with opportunities they may not have in a "DOWN" Economy. Rich folks give enormous amounts of money to Charitable Organizations that support Medical Research, help build Hospitals and Trauma Centers, Fund Scholarships for Talented Youth and contribute to the ARTS and Public Museums and Parks so that even YOU can go out and enjoy them and maybe learn something. Learning doesn't end at the 8th grade you know, it is a lifelong experience. Do you even have a Library Card?
Your Obama Inspired Attitude of "YOU DIDN'T BUILD THAT" just displays your own belligerent mediocrity and lack of understanding of how a Free Market Economy in a Constitutional Republic actually works. As my late mother would say, "Put your money where your mouth is or keep it Closed." IF the power had gone out for two hours while you were in the Middle of watching a NASCAR Race or during one of your QVC Shopping Binges I am sure you would have gone out and tried to start one of the six cars parked on your lawn and gone to city hall with a burning torch. Think before you comment the next time, it may be an experience that you actually enjoy.
Sunday, November 10, 2019 Report this
JohnStark
Apollo: If I understand your point (which is precarious in itself), it is that anyone earning $1.00 more than you is considered "rich", though I invite clearer definition. Further, I guess those living on Warwick Neck should own generators because they should assume that the public services for which they pay will not be reliable. Finally, hurricanes do not typically "whack and flood" Warwick Neck all that much as most of the residential properties are significantly above sea level. Perhaps they didn't cover local geography when you attended the Warwick public schools. Or more to the point, perhaps they did.
Sunday, November 10, 2019 Report this
FASTFREDWARD4
I just hope the first snow strom warwick ave sidewalk is clear. Allways rtying to get head lines. please 2hr no power you know the club has there own power.
Monday, November 11, 2019 Report this
Apollo
John Stark,
In the news 6 days ago, house sells for $2,256,050 1330 Warwick Neck Ave.
Regarding hurricanes and Warwick Neck. Really you're going to debate that one?
http://warwickonline.com/stories/should-we-be-worried-about-a-rise-in-sea-levels,144812
Since 1900 alone so many storms. 1938, 1954, skipping a few to Bob, Gloria, Sandy, Irene....
Monday, November 11, 2019 Report this
Apollo
Pallyboy,
That was difficult to read. All over the place with points that don't make sense. Lets try.
First, there are senior citizens every where not just in the Neck.
Interesting your frustration over the driving habits of the residents there.
I never said I was against rich people. I love rich people. Point is rich people can afford to have generators especially in an area prone to loosing power due to mother nature or national grid issues. So I was taken back by the whinning over a 2 hr outage. Petty indeed.
So which is it am I an Obama Inspired person or the redneck you imply that watches NASCAR? Can't be both.
Monday, November 11, 2019 Report this
pallyboy
APOLLO...."Difficult to READ"??? LMAO....Four whole paragraphs were too much for you??? "All over the Place"?? LOL...What percentile were you in for Reading Comprehension in Jr. High... the 5th?? As a genius like you would know, the higher the percentile [with the highest 100%...Duhh?] the more highly skilled the student being tested. Good luck with finally getting your GED...hope you can find meaningful employment and PAY lots of taxes.
Apollo
They are rich down on the Neck. All should own generators anyways. Hurricanes usually whack and flood that area good.
^^^The above comment most definitely shows your antipathy [too big a word for you...all over the place???] towards people who are seemingly better off economically than you, and since they have "MORE" than you do they should be able to provide for themselves. Even though they pay much more in taxes than you do, you feel they do not deserve the same quality of City and Utility Services that you receive because, well...they are RICH!!! What a Hypocrite you are, since you cannot even comprehend what you yourself have written, pathetic. Are you from San Francisco or Berkeley??? Perhaps you should move there as you would fit right in with all the Luddites there.
"In the news 6 days ago, house sells for $2,256,050 1330 Warwick Neck Ave." And that Proves WHAT???? Are you jealous that you don't have a house to sell on Warwick Neck for that amount? You obviously have never sold a thing, much less a HOUSE. Anything you are selling is only worth as much as what people are willing to give you for that item...so, someone is willing to pay $2.25 Million for a house, and in NYC people will pay $35 Million for an apartment. Can you see how baseless all of your points driven by jealousy really are Apollo?? You are NULL and VOID...so move along, dry up and blow away...
Monday, November 11, 2019 Report this
pallyboy
Oh, just an FYI for you Apollo..."whinning" has only two "N"s...WHINING....I am "all over the place"? LOL...you try to compose a paragraph made of all sentence fragments. So what is it Apollo...you are in Middle School or I was correct in assuming you are still after that GED? Good Luck with that!
Monday, November 11, 2019 Report this
Apollo
Pallyboy,
If you are educated it's difficult to tell. Your in-appropiate use of capitalized words is border line schizophrenic.
You miss the point how pathetic it sounds when the wealthy complain about a disruption in a service when they certainly have the means for back-up plans especially living near the coast where it gets windy. There are a lot of trees down in the Warwick Neck area that like to fall and knock out power. Everyone no matter the social class should have emergency plans.
My example of a home that sold for millions is simply an example of the price of homes in that area.
Please excuse any typos as I use a cell phone with small print.
I can gurantee you my education level is far beyond High School grade level not that it matters. There are many millionares with only a High School diploma.
Monday, November 11, 2019 Report this
patientman
Do some of you guys ever go back and reread your posts? If you do, you'll know why most of us glance at the first line of gibberish then move onto the next post. Sure it is prudent for people with plenty of money to have a stand-by generator. Not everyone has $6-7,000 to buy & have installed a 20K generator. That said, I think anyone building a home in coastal communities would be wise to budget in a generator instead of some other upgrades.
As an aside Ladoucer does seem angry a lot.
Tuesday, November 12, 2019 Report this
Cat2222
Well, certainly glad I took a break only to come back to more ridiculousness!
Ok Boomers! Getting your nickers in a twist over an elected official representing his constituents for lack of services that you have paid for doesn't make a whole lot of sense. How dare he hold the utility company accountable!
Tuesday, November 12, 2019 Report this
patientman
Cat,
That news set Ladouceur off. He was outraged that the company had not alerted authorities – including him – that there could be an interruption in power.
Yelling at linemen isn't the answer. A little civility is free.
Tuesday, November 12, 2019 Report this
Apollo
Ladouceur wasn't informed too bad.
Tuesday, November 12, 2019 Report this
Cat2222
Patient Man
No where in the article does it state that Ladouceur "Yelled at the linemen". Do you now something the writer of the article doesn't?
I honestly don't see anything wrong with his irritation at the power outages. Nor does he seem to just be blowing hot air. He is looking into doing something about it. That was my point. He is elected to do something about the issues that his constituents face. I see nothing wrong with it.
Wednesday, November 13, 2019 Report this