Upcoming Customer Assistance Events Hosted by National Grid

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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. 

 

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Pittsfield Panel Supports Councilors' Privacy, Lake Management Commission

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Councilors believe they have the right to keep their home address off work documents

Last week, the Ordinances and Rules subcommittee voted to remove city councilors' addresses from public documents and create a Lake Management Commission for Pittsfield's waterbodies. 

Ward 4 Councilor James Conant, Ward 7 Councilor Katherine Moody, Ward 1 Councilor Kenneth Warren, and Ward 2 Councilor Cameron Cunningham submitted a request to remove councilors' addresses from city documents and websites and replace them with 70 Allen St., or City Hall, to improve safety. 

"As we know, especially over the weekend, there's just increasing violence in America at every level, from the president right on down. Governors, judges, mayors, city councilors," Conant said. 

"I feel that we can increase our security by stopping using our home addresses on city-issued websites and paperwork." 

City Solicitor Jeffrey Grandchamp pointed out that this will not prevent the city officials' addresses from becoming public, as their addresses are listed elsewhere as residents. 

Conant proposed to make it optional. 

Councilors couldn't find anything in the city code that requires them to use home addresses. Ward 5 Councilor Patrick Kavey pointed out that when you run for office, the City Clerk verifies your address and residency. 

"Looking at what other communities do, it does, again, look like we're kind of in the minority in terms of how much information we're putting out to the public," Ward 6 Councilor Dina Lampiasi observed. 

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