警方公佈報告 溫徹斯特慘案華裔兇手患精神病多年

(Boston Orange整理報導)溫徹斯特(Winchester)警方今日(週三)公佈報告，上個月在圖書館刺死一名22歲女子的行兇華裔，疑因精神病，過去6年來，已進出警局不下20多次。

那些報告記載了姚傑瑞(譯音，Jeffrey Yao)和警方的頻繁接觸，以及他的各種讓人揣揣不安，奇怪又有威脅性的行為，包括他威脅著要自殺，要求別人殺死他等。那些報告暗示了姚傑瑞在接受治療，但並未詳述精神病院怎麼處理他。

溫徹斯特警察局局長Peter MacDonnell表示，那些報告肯定會促使整個社會討論精神病問題。

                        現年23歲的姚傑瑞，在2月24日踏進溫徹斯特公共圖書館，手持10吋長獵刀，刺死了22歲的醫學院學生Deane Kenny Stryker。律師J.W. Carney Jr.指他長期患有精神病，辯稱無罪，法庭諭令不得保釋。

                      溫徹斯特警察局有關姚傑瑞的報告，早從2012年就開始了。他在溫徹斯特高中的同學，也因為他行為反常，有所警覺。當2012年2月姚傑瑞在社交媒體上發出有關射殺的貼文，包括造成2007年維琴尼亞理工大學32人被槍殺慘案的兇手，趙承熙的錄影帶宣言時，就向校長舉報過。

                    根據那些報告，學校曾要求姚傑瑞遞交心理醫師認為他在學校會安全的文件。

            報告還說，姚傑瑞後來不再維持個人的衛生清潔，可以一連幾星期，甚至幾個月穿同一套髒了的連帽衣，很暖和的襯衣，卡其褲。他身上滿是頭皮屑，還顯然的手指甲也幾個月沒剪了。

                 但是學校行政人員搜查了姚傑瑞的儲物櫃，沒發現任何不好的東西。警察搜查姚傑瑞，也只在他襯衣口袋裡找到些腐爛的水果皮，沒有讓人憂慮的地方。

            在警察報告中，一名兒童心理醫師認為姚傑瑞對他自己或其他人都沒有威脅性，馬上就讓他回學校了。

                      2013年11月13日時，在姚傑瑞的父母說他拿著一把6吋不鏽鋼刀，半夜在屋裡遊蕩後，溫徹斯特警察把姚傑瑞送進了溫徹斯特醫院的急救部門，

昆士市今晚8點起實施風雪停車禁令

Snow Emergency Parking Rules

Snow emergency parking rules will be in place beginning at 8 p.m. on Wednesday, March 7, 2018. Residents may park on the ODD numbered side of non-emergency neighborhood streets, but should always park in driveways if available. Parking is prohibited on all designated emergency arteries. Click here for a complete list of emergency arteries. Residents on side streets posted permanently as one-side parking should park on the side always allowed. Cars parked in violation of emergency rules or impede snow plowing operations pose a public safety risk, and WILL BETOWED. Regardless of parking rules, vehicles determined to be in obstruction of snow removal or emergency vehicles are subject to towing if not moved. For assistance, residents can use the City’s snow request application at snowhotline@quincyma.gov or call the DPW's snow operation hotline at (617) 376-1927. The potential for minor flooding in the wake of last week’s storm exists for the overnight tide on March 8. For flood-related assistance, call (617) 376-1910. Residents in coastal areas should take appropriate precautions and monitor weather reports. ALWAYS call 911 in an emergency. The forecast calls for high winds, which creates the potential for downed tree limbs and power lines. If you lose power, call National Grid at 1-800-465-1212 or visit their Outage Central page at https://www.nationalgridus.com/MA-Home/Storms-Outages/. For updates and emergency notices, please tune to Quincy Access Television; follow the City of Quincy’s Facebook page or via Twitter @CityofQuincy.

波士頓公校3月8日停課 MAYOR WALSH ANNOUNCES PREPARATIONS FOR WINTER STORM

MAYOR WALSH ANNOUNCES PREPARATIONS FOR WINTER STORM

Boston Public Schools are closed, City buildings will be open; residents encouraged to plan accordingly when traveling

BOSTON - Wednesday, March 7, 2018 - Mayor Martin J. Walsh today announced the City's continued preparations for the winter storm, which is expected to bring 4 to 8 inches of heavy, wet snow with most snow accumulating after 8pm tonight and ending around 6am Thursday morning. A winter storm warning will be in effect until 1pm Thursday afternoon. Sustained winds of 10-20MPH are expected throughout the duration of the storm, with wind gusts up to 40MPH. Updates: Boston Public Schools will be closed on Thursday, March 8. All Boston Centers for Youth & Families (BCYF) community centers will be open on Thursday from 7:30 a.m. - 6:00 p.m., including stand-alone centers and school-based sites. City Hall and all libraries will be open tomorrow, and all employees should report to work. Sidewalks should be shoveled by 3 hours after dawn tomorrow, at about 9:15 a.m. "As always, safety is our number one priority. We are encouraging residents to stay off the roads, assist the elderly and disabled, and be sure to use caution during the cold weather," said Mayor Walsh. "Please remember to abide by safety guidelines, call 3-1-1 with any questions, and be safe." Residents are encouraged to stay off the roads, and take public transportation if needed. Emergency personnel who need transport, such as doctors and nurses, are encouraged to call 3-1-1 to be connected. Boston Public Works has 30,000 tons of rock salt ready to be distributed, and has over 700 pieces of equipment available to be used throughout the duration of the storm. The City's main focus continues to be on clearing sidewalks, main streets, roadways and responding to public requests for plowing and salting. Boston Police and EMS has an increased presence and will be ready to assist people in every neighborhood. Residents are encouraged to sign up for emergency notifications through AlertBoston and utilize the 311 call center for non-emergency related issues. 311 is operational 24 hours a day, and will have extra staff tomorrow to respond to calls. To find out more information about resources and services available to residents, please visit boston.gov/snow. Safety Tips Shoveling snow requires significant exertion; please be cautious and pay attention to symptoms. Stop if you feel chest pain, shortness of breath, light headed, nauseous/vomiting. Call 911 if those symptoms do not resolve quickly when you stop exertion. Snow piles can make navigating intersections dangerous for walkers and drivers; please take extra care when turning corners with snow piles that might limit visibility. Pedestrians should use caution as visibility will be diminished due to blowing and drifting of the snow caused by high winds. Carbon monoxide poisoning is a concern during winter weather, especially with the use of generators. Residents should be sure to use their home heating systems wisely and safety, and have a working carbon monoxide detector on each floor of your home. Call 911 immediately if you suspect carbon monoxide poisoning. Sitting in a car while idling can be deadly if the tailpipe is blocked. Do not let children sit in an idling car while shoveling. Clear any household exhaust pipes of snow. For example, gas exhaust from heating system or dryer. Remember to clear snow away from all vents around their homes to avoid health risks. Remember to keep catch basins and fire hydrants clear. Please check on neighbors, especially the elderly and disabled. Have a contractor check the roof to see if snow needs to be removed. If roof snow can be removed from the ground with the use of a snow-rake, do so with caution. Avoid working from ladders and be mindful of slippery surfaces. To help keep pipes from freezing, keep the faucet dripping a little bit, and don't turn your heaters off. Rules on Clearing Snow Property owners must clear snow, sleet and ice from sidewalks and curb ramps abutting the property within three hours after the snowfall ends or three hours after sunrise if it snows overnight. Failure to comply will result in a fine issued by Boston Public Works Code Enforcement. Please clear at least a 42-inch-wide path for people using wheelchairs and strollers. Removal of snow, ice from a private property to the street or sidewalk is prohibited and will result in a fine issued by Boston Public Works Code Enforcement. Do not throw snow onto the street. Please look here for information about fines associated with improper removal of snow. Community Centers All Boston Centers for Youth & Families Community centers will be open during normal business hours. Please check their schedules here . Helping the Homeless If you see homeless individuals out  in the cold who appear immobile, disoriented or underdressed for the cold, please call 911. The Boston Public Health Commission (BPHC) coordinates a city-wide network of emergency shelters, outreach providers, city agencies and first responders to assist those in need of shelter. Emergency shelters are open 24 hours and will accept any person in need. Men can access shelters through 112 Southampton Street, and women should go to the Woods-Mullen Shelter at 794 Massachusetts Ave. BPHC and the city are working closely with shelter providers to ensure that no client is without shelter, food, resources, and a warm respite from the cold. During extreme cold weather, street outreach teams will continue to provide support to homeless individuals in need. Residents are encouraged to sign-up for AlertBoston to receive emergency alerts and to call 311, download the BOS:311 app, or Tweet at @BOS311 with questions or concerns. Follow @CityofBoston and boston.gov/snow for the latest updates.

今晚風雪可能堆高達10吋

(Boston Orange整理)天氣預報早就說要今天(7日，週三)風雪將再度來襲，新的預報是降雪量恐怕多達10吋，比早前預告的還要多。

麻州州長查理貝克到傅萊明罕那兒勘查，說這場風雪很特別，對不同地區會造成不同挑戰。95號及128號州際公路以西，可能會到處都行車困難，沿海一帶可能淹水，

從下午開始，麻州中西部會有最多的降雪量，晚上6到9點，風雪對沿岸地區的威脅最嚴重。

氣象預報員週三下午說，本來以為風雪轉向東去，波士頓大多時候會是下雨，降雪量大概只有2吋，但現在的預測是到週四風雪過去十，波士頓室內的降雪量可能高達10吋。

他們認為在晚上6到8點之間，沿著95號州際公路以東，下雨會變成下雪，然後一直下到午夜，雪會累積到多高，要看地表溫度如何。

這是一週之內，大風雪兩次來襲麻州。麻州州長查理貝克透露，上次的風雪不但讓沿岸地區淹水，吹倒了數以百計的樹木，還把數百人的家破壞得無法修復。另外還有1500人目前無法回家住，但房子還可以修。

麻州公路行政長Jonathan L. Gulliver表示，有事非得出門的人，最好預留多很多時間。他估計，在州內的某些地方，降雪速度大約會每小時3吋那麼快。州政府的鏟雪車只能盡力而為。

          麻州西部費奇堡市(Fitchberg)大概會降雪18吋，屋斯特(Worcester)會降雪15吋，羅倫斯(Lawrence)會有14吋。

          麻州州警早上10點已在推特上表示，麻州和紐約之間的州計收費公路，速限已降至每小時40英哩。

麻州運輸局也表示，已派出342名員工出去清理道路。

Amtrak火車和MBTA地鐵及巴士，以及有些學校，都傳出要取消行車班次或停課的預告，

麻州緊及管理局(MEMA)在週三中午12點45分左右報告，大約有 1,282用戶家停電，大都是Eversource的顧客。

波士頓僑界心繫臺灣 捐款逾百萬台幣賑助花蓮災民

【波士頓僑界心繫臺灣  捐款逾百萬台幣賑助花蓮災民】

波士頓華埠傳統僑社捐助花蓮賑災善款美金16,250元，波士頓

經文處處長賴銘琪(右八)代表中華民國政府接受。

今年2月6日晚間東臺灣發生地震，造成花蓮地區民眾生命及財產重大損失，波士頓僑教中心也在事發後陸續接到許多僑界朋友的電話表達關心，並希望能夠捐款協助賑災及重建；僑教中心主任歐宏偉表示，截至3月6日波士頓地區僑界捐款賑災的善款已累積達到美金37,724元，逾百萬新臺幣，捐款的詳細數額已登載於僑教中心臉書頁面，他非常感謝大家心繫花蓮災情，共同為臺灣祈福，所有的善款支票將由外交郵袋的正式途徑寄送僑委會，俾轉交衛生福利部賑災專戶。

 僑務委員梅錫銳、僑務顧問游勝雄、僑務促進委員蘇鴻昌等僑務榮譽職人員和僑商企業E INK Corporation率先於2月8日捐款，許多個別僑胞也立刻發揮大愛精神，踴躍捐輸，更有遠從拉斯維加斯的鄉親Henry Chu將美金1千元的捐款支票寄到僑教中心。

慈濟波士頓聯絡處於2月11日在人文學校新春活動時，宣布將「竹筒回娘家」和「香積組」的各界捐款全數轉為賑災善款，現場也有多位學生立即捐款自己的零用錢，共獲捐款美金2,484元統由美國慈濟總會捐回臺灣花蓮。勒星頓中文學校也在同日新春聯歡活動時，發起全校「一人一元」的捐款活動，許多家長和學生立刻主動前往捐款攤位，當天即募得美金665元的善款，令人動容；新英格蘭中文學校協會會長陳燕貞也代表協會捐款美金150元，一併交由僑教中心轉致善款。

紐英崙中華民俗藝術工作坊在大年初二回娘家的新春活動中，當場即募得美金500元；羅德島華人協會主席葉超甫從香港返美，也立刻決定該協會捐款美金1千元，他個人則捐款美金500元。另，新英格蘭大波士頓臺灣商會和波克萊臺灣商會也響應捐款，其中僑務顧問郭競儒個人即捐出美金5千元，楊羅東會長捐款美金1千元，總計2商會捐款近美金1萬元，均交由北美聯合總會轉世界臺灣商會聯合總會賑災。

紐英崙中華公所主席陳家驊也在第一時間發動在波士頓華埠募款，並於2月17日春宴時鼓勵大家響應，截至3月6日止計有中華公所、安良工商會、至孝篤親公所、中國國民黨波士頓分部、李氏公所、華埠退伍軍人會、昭倫公所和樂嚐軒糕餅店等僑團及商家慷慨捐輸；中華公所主席陳家驊、中華總會會長陳毓禮、安良工商會會長陳仕維等人也各捐助美金1千元，加上許多個別僑領慷慨捐款，共獲善款美金16,250元，以實際行動展現對臺灣的愛心，並由駐波士頓臺北經文處處長賴銘琪代表中華民國政府接受善款。

賴銘琪表示，海外僑胞對中華民國臺灣情感深厚，當臺灣面臨災難時，海外僑界不分地域、不分黨派、不分新舊都挺身而出，尤其是波士頓華埠傳統僑社的情義相挺，充分發揮人飢己飢、人溺己溺的大愛精神，更加令人感動；他也表示，捐款數額不分多寡，都是代表海外僑胞鄉親對於國家政府的支持與熱愛，他也在參加每場僑社新春活動時，特別向僑社各界表達謝意。(文稿由波士頓僑教中心提供)

波士頓安良工商會慶新春 司儀搞笑氣氛歡樂

波士頓安良工商會幹部與嘉賓合影。(周菊子攝)

               (Boston Orange 周菊子波士頓報導) 波士頓安良工商會3月4日晚在帝苑大酒樓慶祝農曆新春。全美總理，元老，以及紐約及羅德島欖城安良不下30餘名兄弟遠道來賀，兩名會長陳仕維，黃立輝搭配兩名司儀阮鴻燦，陳文浩，全力搞笑，新節奏樂隊清新歌聲不斷，大小抽獎品滿簍滿框，會場氣氛十分熱鬧。

波士頓經文處處長賴銘琪(中)代表僑委會委員長吳新興送上"同策群力"
春聯給波士頓安良。左起，陳文浩，黃立輝，陳仕維，阮鴻燦。
(周菊子攝)

               波士頓安良工商會會長陳仕維致詞時別出心裁，笑說狗年祝福語，這陣子大家聽得多了，其中一說是狗有八德，但他要強調前四德，忠義勇猛，至於其他四德，大家可不要誤以為是”老婆買首飾要捨得，化妝出門要等得，發脾氣要忍得”，最重要的是祝福大家，飲得，食得，玩得，眠得(廣東話，意思是吃喝玩睡都很行)，結了婚的朋友，能長長久久，狗年旺旺旺。

敬酒。

               紐英崙中華公所主席陳家驊致詞時加入搞笑行列，說英語時，拿兩名司儀開玩笑，先說阮鴻燦的英文名Hung，和中文的鴻不對稱，再調侃陳文浩兼任中華公所財政，卻忙到他這個主席變成了財政分身。回到說中文時，才收起玩笑，祝福安良工商會會務發達，嘉賓得心應手，青春長駐。

               當晚的到會嘉賓，最特別的是芝加哥中華會館主席黃于紋。大會司儀陳文浩指出，她是芝加哥中華會館建館110年來的首名女主席。她先以英語致詞，稱狗年意味著忠誠，盡責，勇氣，而2018年勢將繁榮，因為8在中國人中意味著發達，好運。接著她以廣東話週到的點名致敬，說明自己應全美安良兩名總理之邀，這還是首次來到波士頓，祝大家人和事旺，安良會務興旺。

波士頓市議員吳弭(Michelle Wu，左一)，愛德華費林(Ed Flynn，右一)
送上表揚狀，波士頓安良工商會會長陳仕維(左二)，黃立輝(右二)
領取。(周菊子攝)

               駐波士頓台北經濟文化辦事處處長賴銘琪以廣東話感謝波士頓安良工商會的支持中華民國，支持經文處，以及他個人，希望安良將來能繼續支持新處長。現在波士頓華埠掛著的多面中華民國國旗，最大的那一面就在波士頓安良工商會，他十分感謝。

               賴銘琪和波士頓僑教中心主任歐宏偉接著代表僑委會委員長吳新興，送上一幅”同策群力”春聯，祈願波士頓安良來年能在會眾同心協力下發展更上層樓。

波士頓華埠濟助台灣花蓮震災，共捐款16,350元。(周菊子攝)

               美國政要，今年也有多人出席波士頓安良工商會的慶祝新春聯歡會。今年要競選連任，遇上波士頓市議員聯邦普莉斯萊(Aynna Pressley)挑戰的聯邦眾議員卡普阿諾(Mike Capuano)，麻州眾議員麥家威(Aaron Michlewitz)，波士頓市議員吳弭(Michelle Wu)，愛德華費林(Ed Flynn)之外，麻州州長議會議員Terrence Kennedy，雀喜市(Chelsea)市議員 Calvin Brown，依序代表麻州長辦公室，州務卿送上表揚狀。

               波士頓安良工商會也照慣例，在新春慶會上送出”利是”給中華耆英會，中華頤養院，中華廣教學校，僑立學校，以示該會喜慶不忘公益。

波士頓安良醒獅團祥獅獻瑞。(周菊子攝)

                    當晚的到會嘉賓，除前述各人外，還包括全美安良元老團主席伍建生，元老伍建平，總理陳達偉，鄧錦源，駐波士頓台北經濟文化辦事副處長陳銘俊，僑務委員蔣宗壬，梅錫銳，中華總會主席陳毓禮，全美安良工商會秘書長鄧遐勳，紐約安良工商會會長陳啟靈，羅德島安良工商會會長陳任卓，黃超炎等人。(圖片已於5日發表)

波士頓安良工商會春宴，陳文浩(左)，阮鴻燦(右)擔任司儀。(周菊子攝)

               

波士頓安良由兩名會長陳仕維(左一)，黃立輝(右一)代表，鼓勵公益，
送上利市封給，右二起中華廣教學校董事長陳家驊，僑力學校老師
江輝輝，中華耆英會行政主任梅伍銀寬，中華頤養院董事長雷偉志。
(周菊子攝)

左起，伍換華，裡源沛，譚達兒，謝如鍵等人是波士頓安良工商會春宴
中的幸運兒，抽中現金獎，每人100元。(周菊子攝)

抽獎環節，陳文浩(左)的嬌妻陳余寶愛(中)也出來幫忙。右為會長
黃立輝。(周菊子攝)

新節奏樂隊的創辦人陳秀華(右)與谷手兼歌手曹勇。(周菊子攝)

陳毓禮(右一)，陳毓璇(左二)兩兄弟和羅德島州淵源頗深。陳毓禮和
退休教授田元(右二)同歲，現年85。陳毓璇和羅德島安良工商會前會長
李銳浩(左一)是多年好友，和現任會長陳任卓(中)也相識多年。
(周菊子攝)

欖城安良工商會組了一個20人的大規模到賀團，來向波士頓安良拜年。
左起，田元，李銳浩，波士頓僑教中心主任歐宏偉，羅德島安良工商會
會長陳任卓，黃超炎等。(周菊子攝)

波士頓的法蘭克叔叔陳毓禮(左二)和華裔警察們都是好朋友，左起，
退休州警余國華，波士頓A-1區警長梅志強，以及鄺劍峰。(周菊子攝)

右起，波士頓僑教中心主任歐宏偉，波士頓經文處處長賴銘琪，羅德島
欖城安良工商會前會長李銳浩，兩名現任會長陳任卓，黃超炎。
(周菊子攝)

麻州州長議會議員Terrence Kennedy(左)送上表揚狀給波士頓安良
會長陳仕維(右)。(周菊子攝)

麻州州長議會議員Terrence Kennedy(左)送上表揚狀給波士頓安良
會長黃立輝(右)。(周菊子攝)

雀喜市市議員Calvin Brown(中)送上表揚狀，波士頓安良會長
陳仕維(左)，黃立輝(右)受領。(周菊子攝)

BCNC獲自閉症基金會捐款一萬元

BCNC RECEIVES GRANT FROM DOUG FLUTIE, JR. FOUNDATION FOR AUTISM FOR $10,000

Boston, MA – Boston Chinatown Neighborhood Center (BCNC) is pleased to announce it has received a $10,000 grant from the Doug Flutie, Jr. Foundation for Autism.

These funds will support BCNC Family Services. BCNC Family Services supports Chinese immigrant families in Boston and Quincy with an emphasis on families of children with autism through parent education workshops, family support groups, music therapy, and case management services which help families access social services, counseling, and other needed referrals. With bilingual and bicultural staff who understand the culture of program participants, BCNC is uniquely positioned to serve Chinese immigrant families affected by autism, many of whom do not otherwise access mainstream services.

BCNC parent shares, “BCNC has a huge impact on my family and other families with Autism in the community. Thanks to the Flutie Foundation, my daughter is able to attend music therapy group.”

The Doug Flutie, Jr. Foundation for Autism awards grants annually through a competitive application and review process. The grants that the Flutie Foundation distributes each year help to support family-focused programs in three key areas: promoting active lifestyles, improving access to services, and enhancing the independence of adults with autism.

Governor Baker Proclaims March as Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month

Governor Baker Proclaims March as Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month

For high-resolution and more photos, click here.

BOSTON — Today, Governor Charlie Baker and Secretary of Health and Human Services Marylou Sudders joined The Arc of Massachusetts and the Massachusetts Developmental Disabilities Council at their Annual Legislative Reception where the Governor declared March as Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month in honor of 40 years of success serving individuals with disabilities and their families.

“For the first time in nearly 30 years, our Administration was proud to fully invest in critical programs, like Turning 22, to help people in Massachusetts living with disabilities receive an education, get a job, live independently and have access to critical services. This year’s budget proposal adds even more money to these programs, and if approved, could help over 1,000 individuals,” said Governor Charlie Baker.  “We remain committed to making Massachusetts a leader in providing services and accessibility for youth and adults with developmental disabilities.”  

The Department of Developmental Services (DDS) provides critical services for more than 39,000 individuals in the Commonwealth and has focused on providing real employment opportunities for people with disabilities and increasing individuals’ self-sufficiency to produce positive results.

Chapter 688 of the Acts of 1983 (the “Turning 22” law) serves as a critical bridge from educational support services into the adult human services program. The law provides for a two year transitional process for young adults who will lose their connection to special education upon graduation or reaching the age of 22.

In Fiscal Year 2018, the Baker-Polito Administration led efforts to fully fund the Turning 22 program at $23.1 million for the first time in nearly 30 years. The Administration’s Fiscal Year 2019 budget funds Turning 22 at $25 million, an increase of almost $2 million over the FY18 appropriation, to continue fully-funding the program and meeting the needs of a class that is growing in size.

“We continue to work closely with The Arc, the Legislature and other community leaders to support individuals with disabilities and their loved ones,” said Secretary of Health and Human Services Marylou Sudders. “We are committed to promoting a better quality of life for the individuals we serve and their families.”

DDS anticipates serving over 1,100 individuals in FY19’s Turning 22 class, many of whom have complex medical and behavioral needs and will require residential placement. 

AG HEALEY SECURES $7 MILLION SETTLEMENT WITH NATIONAL GRID FOR OVERCHARGING CUSTOMERS

AG HEALEY SECURES $7 MILLION SETTLEMENT WITH NATIONAL GRID FOR OVERCHARGING CUSTOMERS

Company to Credit or Refund More than 50,000 Customers and Pay $3 Million to Help Consumers Lower their Gas Bills

            BOSTON –Attorney General Maura Healey’s Office has reached a $7 million settlement agreement with National Grid that will provide credits or refunds to 53,000 customers improperly charged $50 service fees, along with financial assistance to help consumers lower their gas bills.  

“Customers already struggling to heat their homes were hit with illegal charges by their gas company,” AG Healey said. “This agreement with National Grid returns millions of dollars to more than 50,000 customers.”

In 2010, following a ruling by the Department of Public Utilities in a National Grid gas distribution rate case, the company agreed to eliminate a $50 reconnection fee for residential customers whose gas service was shut off for non-payment. Through its investigation, the AG’s Office learned that from 2010 to 2016, National Grid improperly charged 53,000 residential customers with the $50 fee, and many customers including more than 3,000 low-income customers paid the $50 fee multiple times, resulting in a total of more than 76,000 improper fee assessments. In one case, a low-income resident was charged the $50 fee 13 times.

National Grid reports that a coding error in its billing system allowed the reconnection fee practice to continue. As required by the settlement with the AG’s Office, National Grid will improve its processes going forward to ensure that billing system errors like this do not happen again.  

Under the terms of the settlement, National Grid is refunding or crediting customers the $50 they were improperly charged, plus interest, totaling more than $3.8 million. The settlement also requires National Grid to pay an additional $3.2 million, of which $3 million will be used to assist Massachusetts consumers with paying or lowering their gas bills. A total of $180,000 will go to the state’s General Fund and $20,000 to defray costs of the investigation.

Current and former National Grid residential gas customers who believe that they were assessed a gas reconnection fee between November 2010 and November 2016, and who have not already received a bill credit, should contact National Grid at 1-800-233-5325 within one year to obtain a bill credit or refund from the company.

AG Healey’s Energy and Telecommunications Division works to ensure Massachusetts businesses and residents have access to reliable, safe and affordable energy. This matter was handled by Division Chief Rebecca Tepper, Deputy Division Chief Nate Forster, and Assistant Attorney General Matthew Saunders.