Upcoming Customer Assistance Events Hosted by National Grid

Print Story | Email Story

WALTHAM, Mass. — National Grid’s in-person Customer Assistance events are continuing across Massachusetts throughout August, along with two Summer Bill Assistance Webinars.

In Berkshire County there will be an event on Aug. 14, from 10:00am to 09:00pm, on the Pittsfield Town Common, Main St., Pittsfield.

These offerings provide customers direct access to National Grid Customer Service Specialists, either in person or virtually, to assist with program and payment options to help meet their energy needs.

"This summer, National Grid is expanding opportunities for customers to connect with our team in person and online," said Bill Malee, Chief Customer Officer, National Grid. "These events and webinars are designed to provide personalized support and help customers explore the full range of programs available to manage energy costs, including our new Payment Assistance Bundle."

Through the end of August, in-person events will be held across Massachusetts, including in Brockton, Grafton, Gardner, Saugus, Rockland, Beverly, Winthrop, and Swampscott. A full list of all in-person customer assistance events throughout the Summer is available online and below.

Customers attending in-person events will have the opportunity to meet with representatives from National Grid, who will be on-site to assist with billing issues and provide information on:

  • Enrolling in National Grid’s new Payment Assistance Bundle
  • Enrolling in Budget Billing
  • Enrolling in the Energy Discount Rate (for qualifying customers)
  • Scheduling home energy assessments and sharing information on other energy efficiency opportunities for homes or businesses 

National Grid is also hosting two Summer Bill Assistance Webinars this month on August 7th at 12pm (Spanish) and on August 18th at 11am (English). These online options will provide an overview of our bill management solutions and financial assistance opportunities. Customers can register for the webinars online through our Customer Assistance Events page.

Help with Managing Energy Bills:

National Grid is committed to delivering safe and reliable energy to the customers and communities we serve. We recognize that affordability is a significant concern, and National Grid offers various programs and services to help customers save energy, manage their bills, and access financial assistance.  

National Grid customers can now sign up for a new Payment Assistance Bundle. The bundle combines three helpful solutions to make it easier for managing energy costs and paying down past due amounts over a 12-month period.

  • Deferred Payment Agreement: Spread out past-due balance into future monthly payments.
  • Automatic Monthly Payments: Automatically deduct payments from your bank account each month and avoid missing due dates.
  • Budget Plan: Break down annual energy costs into balanced monthly payments, making it easier to budget and plan expenses.

Customers interested in enrolling in the Payment Assistance Bundle can do so online by visiting ngrid.com/hereforyou, at an in-person event, or by calling 1-800-233-5325.

Budget Billing: Allows customers to spread their usual payment over twelve balanced monthly payments to help offset the traditionally high winter heating and summer air conditioning peak bills. Doing so makes it easier to anticipate monthly energy costs and plan household budgets. Additional information can be found here.

Discount Rates: Income-eligible customers may qualify for a discounted rate on energy service. To be eligible, applicants must be a National Grid customer and already enrolled in an eligible benefit program or the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). Visit the Discount Rate application to determine eligibility and apply.

National Grid encourages Massachusetts customers to learn more about all Bill Assistance programs and services by visiting ngrid.com/hereforyou. 

 

If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

Dalton Police Facility Report Complete; Station Future Still Uncertain

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
DALTON, Mass. — The Public Safety Facility Advisory Committee's final report is complete but the future of the station remains uncertain. 
 
Several members of the committee attended the Select Board meeting last week, as co-Chair Craig Wilbur presented four options delineated in the presentation — build on town-owned land, build on private land, renovate or repurpose the existing buildings, and do nothing. The full report can be found here
 
According to the report, addressing the station's needs coincides with the town facing significant financial challenges, with rising fixed costs and declining state aid straining its budget. 
 
These financial pressures restrict the town's ability to fund major capital projects and a new police station has to compete with a backlog of deferred infrastructure needs like water, sewer, roads, and Americans with Disabilities Act compliance.
 
In June 2024, Police Chief Deanna Strout informed the board of the station's dire condition — including issues with plumbing, mold, ventilation, mice, water damage, heating, and damaged cells — prompting the board to take action on two fronts. 
 
The board set aside American Rescue Plan Act funds to address the immediately dire issues, including the ventilation, and established the Public Safety Facility Advisory Committee to navigate long-term options
 
Very early on it was determined that the current facility is not adequate enough to meet the needs of a 21st-century Police Facility. This determination was backed up following a space needs assessment by Jacunski Humes Architects LLC
 
View Full Story

More Pittsfield Stories