Power Restored at Patriot Place, Gillette Leaves Foxborough Residents Angry

Outrage in Foxborough over the lack of response and communication from National Grid in regards to restoring power to the residents of Foxborough, grew stronger Tuesday as the power came back on at Patriot Place and Gillette Stadium.

"Power at Gillette but not for Foxboro residents, I guess we see where the priorities are in this town," said one Foxborough resident.

Foxborough residents are not the only ones displeased with the news and at National Grid. Town officials, including Town Manager Kevin Paicos, Police Chief O'Leary and Fire Chief Roger Hatfield, along with local representatives, held a meeting Tuesday at Town Hall over the power situation in Foxborough and over the outrage coming in from residents about the fact that Patriot Place is up and running with power. Town officials and residents are questioning how the Kraft organization was able to restore power while the rest of town is still lacking electricity.

Town officials questioned National Grid over the restoration of power at Patriot Place and Gillette Stadium. National Grid told town officials that Gillette draws its power from two sources and it is currently gaining its power from its Wrentham source. Their response to town officials, however, was unacceptable.

"Its disrespectful, National Grid dropped the ball," said Paicos to the media. Paicos also noted that National Grid is not committing to any time line, but says that there are more trucks in Foxborough since their conference this afternoon.

"We are dependent on each other and disappointed in National Grid," echoed town safety officials. Senator Timilty said, "[it has been a failure on the part of National Grid.]" 

The lack of communication between the town of Foxborough and National Grid has been thin, as National Grid began communication just last night.

While the town waits on power, Foxborough officials are focused on helping the elderly in every way possible at this time. HESSCO Elder Services is committed to providing food for the elderly.

Foxborough Patch was able to catch up with a National Grid truck this afternoon. The National Grid employee Patch spoke with, felt that they had made progress, but said "that it takes a couple days to get things rolling." National Grid also noted that in these types of situations, an employee will first assess the situation and then begin to work on restoration. 

Patch probed National Grid on Patriot Place's recent restoration of power, but they had no comment.

With a Patriots preseason game in Foxborough Thursday night, the question of public safety and traffic lights, has the full attention of Police Chief O'Leary who said "that extra police will be brought in to direct traffic and make sure the town remains safe."

Paicos noted that he does not know how Foxborough is going to handle 70,000 people Thursday night if the power is not restored and when residents continue to sit without power, food, and air conditioning.

Still, the biggest question on Foxborough residents mind is, when will power be fully restored to Foxborough? That question, for now, remains unknown. The latest update from National Grid said that power could be restored to some parts of Foxborough by 12:00 a.m, August 31, but that full power restoration may not be completed until September 4.