Locals planning Unitil protest

"We're inviting every politician affiliated with Massachusetts," said Lunenburg resident Cathy Clark, who has championed a grassroots movement to remove Unitil from the region. "We're hoping to draw a really good-sized crowd."

The protest will be held on Saturday, Dec. 12, exactly one year after residents woke up to find that an ice storm had downed hundreds of utility poles and power lines.

It will take place from noon to 3 p.m. on the sidewalk outside Unitil's Fitchburg office at 285 John Fitch Highway.

"We're encouraging people to bring respectful signs," Clark said. "This is a peaceful protest. We're trying to send a message that change is needed."

Unitil has come under fire during the past 11 months for its response to the ice storm, which left thousands of customers in Fitchburg, Lunenburg, Townsend and Ashby without power for up to two weeks.

The Department of Public Utilities issued a 200-page report earlier this month, severely criticizing the company's performance, but the agency ruled it did not have the legal authority to fine the company.

DPU ordered Unitil to undergo a comprehensive management audit.

Clark said efforts to keep the heat on Unitil are starting to pay off.

She cited the "Unitil Bill" signed

into law by Gov. Deval Patrick last week that allows a utility company to be placed into receivership for up to a year if it performs poorly during an emergency and puts public safety at risk. It also specifically empowers the Department of Public Utilities to issue fines if utility companies fail to live up to their responsibilities to ratepayers.

"I think the Unitil Bill gives us some level of immediate protection heading into the winter months," Clark said. "But what we're ultimately looking for is change. We want Unitil out of the region."

State Rep. Stephen DiNatale, D-Fitchburg, said he plans on attending next month's protest.

"I think it's important to show support for the hard work this group has done," said DiNatale, who worked on the new utility legislation. "They've really kept this issue in the forefront and they should be applauded for it."

Katherine Green, spokesperson for state Rep. Jennifer Benson, D-Lunenburg, said Benson has other events scheduled that day, but is hoping to be able to attend the protest as well.

Clark said she is currently focused on supporting legislation working its way through the Statehouse that makes it more feasible for a community to purchase its utility infrastructure from their private provider and set up a town-operated municipal utility.

A local presentation on the perceived benefits of establishing a municipal utility is currently scheduled for Monday, Nov. 30, at 7 p.m. in Fitchburg City Hall, Clark said.

Clark also said she currently has a Web site under construction that will provide more information on the protest and municipal utility legislation in the coming weeks.

The site can be found at www.getridofunitil.com.

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