Mayor James J. Fiorentini (right) and Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito visited Haverhill’s DPW yard during this weekend’s storm. (Courtesy photo)
Haverhill Mayor James J. Fiorentini has officially put National Grid on notice. After much of the city’s residents were forced to go two days—or more—without power during Winter Storm Quinn, Fiorentini is taking the company to task for their “unacceptable” outage response.
In an email to constituents Monday, Fiorentini argued that residents should not be without heat and electricity for up to four days. “As I told National Grid, it was and is unacceptable for so many of us to be without heat and electricity for two, three and four days for the second time this winter,” the mayor, who lost power at his home and City Hall office, said.
A post-mortem with city agencies will happen, Fiorentini said, but may not take place until after another foot of snow blankets the Valley this week.
In the meantime, Fiorentini applauded the community groups and organizations that came to Haverhill’s aid. The Citizens Center was open around the clock to provide shelter for those in need, while the library kept children occupied during school closures.
Fiorentini also praised the city’s highway department for their snow removal efforts.
“With all the frustration about the power outage, most people did not notice that the streets were clear (and) the snow pushed back,” he said.
The DPW opened the highway yard on Primrose Street for free disposal of tree limbs and branches, and will remain open daily for free disposal through Saturday.