Letter: Frustration at Utility Construction

Editor's Note: The following letter to NStar was shared with Milford Patch by the owners of , where customers have had a hard time finding parking since utility construction began this month.

Dear NStar,

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. Do we call you Santa or the Grinch? I know this sounds in jest but your maintenance on Depot Street is nothing to laugh about.

I am a member of the Crivello family who has had a small restaurant on Depot Street in Milford, MA for over 70 years. We understand that upkeep and maintenance of utilities are of prime importance. However, you as a large utility and business have no regard for the little people. For the past two weeks I have watched you take away the livelihood of my two brothers by the way you handle your livelihood.

My brothers are hard working men who struggle to make a living in this down turned economy. Each customer to their business of breakfast and lunch allows them to take home a paycheck each week. Did you consider this small business when you started your changing of the gas pipes? I don’t think so.

When asked if dirt could be put on a small part of the parking lot across the street, my brothers agreed. That is the kind of people they are. Next they find that the maintenance trucks, private cars belonging to workers, backhoes etc. have now filled the rest of the parking lot day and night. The small lot at the restaurant cannot be used because that is where the big hole was dug and then covered over at night with the metal sheets. Customers cannot park on the street because the traffic must be kept moving on a very busy street.

I am angry, not at progress, but at your attitude. You could have approached my brothers and informed them personally as to what would happen. It should not have been left to the workers who only do their job. My brothers did not know the start date or how much of an inconvenience and loss of business they would have. We do know that you will continue the work in the spring, but will you at that time take care of the business parking lots that will be torn up by the heavy vehicles and the digging that goes on. Will you help to make up their loss of business? Once again I don’t think so.

NStar take the time to think about who gets hurt when you do your business. Maybe it is time for the corporate bigwigs to come down from their ivory towers and their large salaries and meet with the little people. At the very least, a personal apology is needed.

Sincerely

Josephine Crivello Diorio