Month: December 2022

Tips for when power returns after an extended time

Sarah Brush

Tips to do when power is out for extended time and power is returned.

  • Do not leave the house while the house is warming up, you might have frozen pipes. When frozen pipes thaw they will start leaking.  Know where your main water shutoff is located.
  • Throw out any food that might have been exposed to temperatures over 40 degrees.
  • If power is out for more than a day, discard any medicine that should be refrigerated, consult your doctor or Pharmacist immediately for new supply.
  • Check your batteries in your hardwired smokes and Carbon Monoxide detectors.

Call the fire departments with any questions or concerns.

North Andover Electric Bill Assistance Program

Sarah Brush

The Select Board unanimously voted to allocate $450,000 in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding for an Electric Bill Assistance Program.  Approximately half of the funds has been reserved for National Grid customers in North Andover who are already categorized as low income by National Grid. The remaining funds will be used to assist those residents who do not qualify as low income but are still in need of assistance.  Only residents not already categorized as low income through National Grid need to complete an application.  Please visit https://www.nationalgridus.com/MA-Home/Bill-Help/Bill-Help-Questionnaire to see if you qualify for assistance from National Grid before applying for the North Andover Electric Bill Assistance Program. 

 

Are you unsure whether you are already categorized as low income through National Grid? The lower half of the first page of your bill will indicate which rate you are on.  If you are listed as a Residential Discount R-2 or R-4 you do not need to apply for this program.  The section looks like this:

 

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Please click here for the Electric Bill Assistance Program guidelines and eligibility information.

The application is currently on our website and can be accessed by clicking here.   The form must be filled out online.  If you do not have access to a computer or need assistance you may bring all required documents into Town Hall to the Town Manager’s Office on the 2nd Floor and we will help you complete the application online, or you may mail in all required documents and we will call you to complete the online application upon receipt of the documents.  Please be sure to have all highlighted required documents before contacting us so we may better assist you.

 

Required documents:

In addition to the online application, the following documents must be provided to be eligible to receive a grant:
 Copy of National Grid electric bill in applicant’s name
 Twelve (12) weeks of pay stubs or verification from employer of income
 If retired, please provide social security statement with income stated on form
 If unemployed, acknowledgement from the Department of Unemployment Assistance
(“DUA”)
 Photo identification (driver’s license, passport, etc.)

If you have any additional questions, please contact the Town Manager’s Office at 978-688-9510.