Kellogg 'Extremely Upset' By Eversource's Response

MONROE, CT — First Selectman Ken Kellogg said he is very frusterated and upset by Eversource's response in Monroe to Tropical Storm Isaias damage. The utility still had around 20 percent of customers without power as of 9 p.m.

Kellogg echoed a similar sentiment that Eversource had poor communication and coordination with town officials. The town was only able to find out where Eversource resources were by driving around and finding them, Kellogg said. In fact, town officials provided their own liason with the information.

Below is a letter Kellogg wrote addressing Eversource's performance:

Dear Monroe Community,
As you know, tomorrow will mark one week since Tropical Storm Isaias hit our town, and unfortunately at this moment we still have over 2,000 residents without power. Internet and cell services are also interrupted, primarily due to power-related issues.

While we all appreciate the severity of this storm, I am extremely upset by the Eversource response and recovery effort.I find it difficult to articulate the incredible level of frustration, which I know many of our residents are experiencing.

While some progress is being made, Eversource is not following their plan. They have had very little communication with our Emergency Operations Center, despite our repeated and ongoing efforts. Unlike prior incidents, this time we are simply not being provided with any timely, meaningful information on their restoration efforts.

Yes, we do have an Eversource liaison. However, during this recovery effort they have had little, if any, information to share. They are unable to tell us how many crews are in town at any given time, but assure us that crews are deployed and actively working. We periodically send Town officials out to check for ourselves. In fact, several times our Eversource liaison has asked us to provide them with any information we have on the location of their crews. Eversource seems
unable to give me, or our emergency management team, any specific details on their priorities during any given operational period, leaving us unable to communicate with our residents as to what to expect on any specific streets or areas of town.

I have had regular contact with state and federal legislators, the state’s Division of Emergency Management and Homeland Security, and I participated in a statewide call with the Governor where many other communities shared similar experiences and frustration. I have escalated our concerns, and conveyed the anger of many residents, to senior Eversource officials numerous times. I will not stop these efforts, and I will continue fighting for our town, until power has been fully restored in Monroe.