Monthly Archives: August 2020

Groton Utilities Issues Telephone Scam Alert

Posted by bougesd On August 26, 2020 at 2:00 pm | Comments Closed

Groton Utilities has issued a telephone scam alert as some customers are currently receiving unsolicited telephone calls threatening to shut off their electricity. The callers are claiming to be the utility company and are “demanding” immediate payment or your service will be shut off.Scam Alert

We urge all Groton Utilities customers to call customer service at 860-446-4000 if they have any doubts about these types of calls. All calls of this sort will be responded to promptly as we are aware that there is a scam going around.

Groton Utilities will never disconnect a customer’s service without following our policies and procedures which insure a proper review of a customer’s account and reasonable opportunities to pay a delinquent account. If Groton Utilities contacts you directly, we will always identify ourselves at the outset of the telephone call as being specifically from Groton Utilities.

Groton Utilities recommends that you always ask for identification of any caller and their telephone numbers. You can always call us directly at our Customer Service Center at 860-446-4000 to confirm the legitimacy of any unsolicited calls to your residence or business.

Never give your personal financial information to anyone whom you do not know. This includes credit card numbers, social security numbers or bank account numbers.

Groton Utilities Electric Vehicle Charger Now Available in Washington Park

Posted by bougesd On August 20, 2020 at 2:02 pm | Comments Closed

Groton Utilities and the City of Groton are excited to announce the “grand opening” of our first public–use electric vehicle charger. The charger is conveniently located at the corner of Meridian Street and Mitchell Street in Washington Park and is free for all to use.

Mayor, Director of Utilities and EV

(left to right) Mayor Keith Hedrick, Director of Utilities Ron Gaudet and IT Support Assistant Ryan Southwell

The charger, purchased by Groton Utilities and installed by the Operations Division, is a level 2 charger – meaning that it is much faster than a standard house charger. Level 2 chargers can fully charge an electric vehicle battery in as little as two hours, depending on the capacity of the battery.

The charger is conveniently located in Washington Park, so it is near the highway as well as many local businesses. Additionally it is an ideal location for those who want to charge their vehicle while they enjoy spending some quality time at the park.

“We are really excited to have this charger in the park – it’s an ideal location for people to drop by and enjoy the park while they charge up their car,” said Ron Gaudet, Director of Utilities. “Electric vehicles are the future – they’re coming – so it’s important to us at Groton Utilities to be able to provide this service to our local community”.

The electric charger in Washington Park is part of Groton Utilities Energy Conservation Program. Through this program GU encourages customers and the community to find different ways to save money, energy and the environment through rebates on energy efficiency-related purchases, including Electric Vehicles, EV chargers, Mini split heat pumps and attic insulation, among other things.

“As a publicly-owned utility Groton Utilities prioritizes helping out our customers and the community in general,” said Manager of Communications and Community Outreach Dan Bouges, “We want to do our part in helping make Groton the ideal location for people to live and work. By providing highly-competitive rates on electric, water and sewage services along with our community outreach efforts and now this charger in the park, we feel like we are getting closer to that goal.”

Increasingly electric vehicles are becoming an attractive alternative to standard gasoline powered vehicles. They are quiet, cheap to run, kind to the environment and they help lower our dependence on fossil fuels. Upwards to 80% of people drive less than 40 miles a day for their commute, and with more and more EV models having a single-charge range of more than 300 miles, it is increasingly possible to go through a week on a single charge. Electric vehicles still cost more than a standard car, but with an abundance of rebates available (including through GU) it is relatively easy to lower the purchase cost a substantial amount.

To speak to someone at Groton Utilities regarding our Energy Conservation program, including rebates and the EV charger, please call Customer Service at 860-446-4000.

Groton Utilities employees and Mayor

(left to right) Key Account General Manager Len Mediavilla, Electric Division Jason Potemski, Mayor Keith Hedrick, Director of Utilities Ron Gaudet, Leader Electrician Steve Schaub, General Manager Projects and Planning Bruce Kruszewski and and IT Support Assistant Ryan Southwell

Discolored Water

Posted by bougesd On August 5, 2020 at 3:42 pm | Comments Closed

The GU Water Division experienced unusually high demand Monday afternoon (August 3rd), necessitating the use of 2 booster pumps at our Gungywamp Pump Station, instead of 1 pump, as usual.  Although conditions were able to be restored to normal by 6:30 pm on August 3rd, this action stirred up the water in our system, from Gungywamp Rd., up through the Route 12 corridor, including side roads.  If you are experiencing discolored water, we recommend flushing the cold water at a moderate rate, starting with a bathtub faucet if possible, and once that runs clear, flushing the other faucets (cold water) in the house till they run clear also.  Once that has been done, we suggest removing the aerator from the end of each faucet and rinsing out any sediment that may have accumulated there. (We also recommend cleaning your aerators on a quarterly basis, as a good routine maintenance practice in your home)  If you have any questions, please call our customer service staff at (860) 446-4000.