Description
Today we had a worker knock on our door(not national grid) asked to take a look at the gas meters) when he leaves the gas is off and meters disconnected) not professionally done and no shutoffs where locked. With all the banging and drilling something could have fell and open the valve. The workers then finish there 8 hr day and go home. Leaving multiple homes with no gas and in a very dangerous situation with no locks on the shutoffs and the meters disconnected . I called national grid. They came out put a lock on the meter and left. I reported this to the dpw Bob knocks I believe his name was. His response was it's not his problem. After telling him in many ways that I believe it is his problem or at least the city of Malden problem for workers leaving a entire block in danger. ANYONE leaving gas in hope that a 20 year old shutoffs will hopefully holdup over the weekend and no kill someone. If they where leaving this like this it should have been locked and capped off. Then Bob knocks started saying he would help. He then called back to let me know he called national grid. I told him they came and did nothing and left . He said again it's not my problem. Its now been 11 hrs with a no gas. No answers no hot water no stove for tenants and a scary situation for the 8 people in our house and the kids playing on the street.
8 Comments
City of Malden (Verified Official)
Closed Malden 311 (Constituent Services Representative) (Verified Official)
Walther (Registered User)
You do not under any regulation, law, or statute have to let National Grid into/onto your property.
You can say No.
The reason for them changing the meters is based on an agreement the National Grid labor union made with company.
The changing of meters ensure work/employment for National Grid workers. If your meter is functioning properly there is no need to even disturb it. This was confirmed through a conversation with higher up officials in NG.
In fact they will change what could possibly be a meter in your home, that is in better condition, to a "refurbished" meter. These meters sit outside in the elements all the time if you ever looked at the NG work yard... You can tell you have a refirbished meter by the paint job...
The situation they left you in, no meter/no gas, is appalling. That can be construed as criminal negligence on behalf of NG, espescially if you were given no offical notice of the situation. They cannot leave a worksite unsecure or unsafe, its illegal.
National Grid is UNDER CONTRACT with the City of Malden. That means the city of malden chose them as their provider/maintainer of energy needs for the city.
They are contractually obligated to listen to city officals and act upon their needs/requests. This means Bob Knox absolutely was within his power and authority to remedy this situation Immediately. His actions can also be construed as criminal negligence as he had forethought knowledge to mitigate/fix a situation that was dangerous to the life, safety, and property of you and the other residents.
There is a history of this type of unprofessional behavior from him and his department. He also has family members in Malden city government with high titles, leading to conflicts of interest and lack of oversight and checks and balances between public works and other departments. In other words, he can do what he wants and get away with it, thus his behavior and choice of words in this situation.
PLEASE File official written/verbal complaints with the State, National Grid, and the City of Malden. Its important to keep a paper trail on this matter and show that there is a large constituency in this city that are not happy with this behavior, on behalf of Mr. Knox, that shows no signs of improving.
Reopened Walther (Registered User)
Closed Robert P. Knox Jr. (Director of Public Works) (Verified Official)
Reopened concerned. citizen (Registered User)
concerned. citizen (Registered User)
I experienced a similar experience with National Grid.
Closed Robert P. Knox Jr. (Director of Public Works) (Verified Official)
The City of Malden does not and is not capable of touching the gas. Any repairs or shut down are from NG or a sub contractor of NG. In the event there is an issue such as this one and you cannot get in touch with NG to resolve the matter I can assist you with getting in touch with a NG contact as I did on this sitituaton. If you have any questions please feel free to contact me anytime.
Thanks
Bob Knox Jr.
Director
781-397-7160