WMECO to Hold "Utility Day" in Pittsfield

Print Story | Email Story
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – Customers who may be having trouble paying their Western Massachusetts Electric Company (WMECo) electric bill can get some help this Saturday when WMECo holds a “Utility Day” in Pittsfield, MA. This event in Pittsfield is the first of three Utility Days to be held this fall.

The Utility Days are specifically designed to help customers with financial challenges get connected to WMECo programs and local social service agencies that can help. For customers who qualify, Fuel Assistance intake will be available, as well as WIC and MassHealth enrollment. The Community Health Program (CHP) outreach van will also be present and free health screenings will be provided to attendees.

“We have scheduled this Utility Day in Pittsfield to get our customers connected to the many services and programs out there to help” said Peter Clarke, President and Chief Operating Officer of WMECo. “We understand how challenging these times can be for many of our customers, and we are pleased to be able to offer Utility Days again.”

Customers are asked to bring copies of their latest utility bills to the event, along with proof of income and/or benefits (four current and consecutive pay-stubs for all adults in the household and/or WIC, Food stamps, SSI, etc.).

When: Saturday, October 17, 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Where: WMECO’s Pittsfield Area Work Center, 333 West Street, Pittsfield, MA.

The expanded eligibility guidelines from the 2008-2009 heating season remain in effect for the 2009-2010 heating season. This means more households qualify for programs like fuel assistance and electric discount rates. Under the guidelines, a single customer with an annual income up to $29,126 or a household of four with an annual income up to $56,011 may now qualify for assistance.


Additional Utility Days will be held in Springfield and Greenfield:

Springfield: Saturday, October 24, 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Springfield Technical Community College, Scibelli Hall, Springfield, MA.

Greenfield: Saturday, November 21, 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Greenfield Community College Downtown Center, 270 Main St., Greenfield, MA.

Western Massachusetts Electric Company, part of the Northeast Utilities System (NYSE:NU), serves approximately 200,000 customers in 59 communities throughout western Massachusetts and is committed to the environment, economic development and the health of the communities it serves. For more information about WMECO, visit their Web site at www.wmeco.com.
If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

Multiple Departments Respond to Lanesborough Structure Fire

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

LANESBOROUGH, Mass. — Multiple fire departments responded to a structure fire off Narragansett Avenue on Wednesday afternoon. 

The Fire Department received a call from the owner of 6 Bangor St. reporting a smoke and flames at around 1:44 p.m.

Firefighters arriving on scene reported heavy smoke emanating from the the 1940s single-family ranch home in the thickly settle neighborhood.

The blaze was brought under control in less than an hour and there were no civilian or firefighter injuries. 

"The homeowner was outside doing some work, evidently, opened the door when she came back in the house, and there were flames and smoke, so she backed out and called us, and that's all we know right now," Deputy Fire Chief Glen Storie said around 2:35 p.m. 

The fire was out at that time, and first responders observed "quite a bit of damage" to the home. The cause is still under investigation. 

Lanesborough, Cheshire, and Pittsfield departments responded to the scene, and Hancock covered the station during the call. 

"The first crew in knocked the fire right down with the first engine," Storie said. 

Smoke could be seen coming from the back of the home. Part of Narragansett Avenue and Bangor Avenue were blocked off while firefighters battled the blaze. 

 

View Full Story

More Pittsfield Stories