Dec 22, 2008 7:52 pm US/Eastern
Frustration Grows As Power Outage Drags On
FITCHBURG (WBZ) ―
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Many of those still without power are resorting to using generators.
WBZ
Standing in his kitchen, surrounded by extension cords, 3-way adapters and a sense of powerlessness, Michael Sidoti told Ron Sanders, "It's been 11 days we haven't had electricity."
Sidoti said Monday was the first time he saw a Unitil truck in his Westminster Hill Road neighborhood but still had been given no idea of when he'll get his power back.
He said he had to go all the way to New Haven, Connecticut to get a generator.
"We couldn't afford to get an electrician in here," he said.
So he connected the generator to the furnace but still can't do laundry or cook and lost all the food in his fridge.
"This is absolutely unimaginable and unacceptable," Sidoti said.
Sanders went to George Gantz, the Senior V.P. of Unitil, and pointed out Sidoti lives on a major secondary road, right off Route 12, near Route 2a, and he can't understand why he and his neighbors don't have power.
"Yeah. It's the extent of the damage that was in the area," said Gantz.
But Sidoti says he can see the Mt. Wachusett ski area lit up at night.
"Yup. I understand. It's a really tough situation. I wish I had better answers. I wish we were done, a lot of things I wish, said Gantz.
"We're very angry that we're not getting the answers," Mayor Lisa Wong told Sanders.
She said Unitil's estimate that power could be restored in a day or so is not realistic.
"We also need some assurances that actually are real, not projections that are false because I've got lives at stake here in the city of Fitchburg," Wong said.
About 100 people a night are staying at a shelter in Fitchburg.
"It's a humbling experience. It's an eye opener," said Richy Wiggins, who is one of them.
*Update: Soon after WBZ-TV's story aired Monday evening, power was restored to Sidoti's home.
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