Local Electric Workers to Do Hurricane Repair
by J.B. McKinley

MORRISVILLE - Local utilities are sending workers to help repair the
storm torn electric grid in Florida. As you read this a convoy of
electric utility vehicles is forming up and headed south to
Jacksonville, FL, where they will be assigned work to get the lights
back on in the wake of Jeanne, the fourth hurricane to hit Florida this
season.
Saying he and Lineman Class A Ed Cote would have to hurry to catch up
with other volunteers, Morrisville Water & Light Department's line
foreman Steve Cutler added he and Ed would be firing up the bucket truck
and driving south out of Morrisville at 5 p.m. Tuesday evening,
September 28.
Cutler said it's really not about the money. Most all the overtime gets
taken in taxes, he said. It's about helping out. "It's not about the
almighty dollar," said Steve.
Contingents of workers are going to Florida from Burlington Electric
Department (BED), Ludlow, New Hampshire Electric Co-op, and Vermont
Electric Co-op, said Steve. The initial contingent is 18 people and the
effort was conceived and coordinated by BED, according to Steve.
Tuesday night, the convoy of utility vehicles would stay the night at
Scranton, PA, Cutler explained, but he didn't think he and Ed would
catch them there.
"The initial commitment is for two weeks," Steve said, but the men
expect to be working hard and will be flown home for a changing of the
guard each week. He said maybe the help would be extended for a greater
length of time, but that was being played by ear.
When Florida's back on the grid, the trucks and equipment will have to
be driven home, said Cutler.