Frustration: Gillette has power, Foxboro residents don't

FOXBORO, Mass. -- In Massachusetts more than 200,000 customers remain without power. Crews from local power companies are working around the clock to bring power to people, but that’s providing little comfort to those in Foxboro where frustration continues to grow.

Gillette Stadium, home of the New England Patriots, has power, but most residents in Foxboro do not.

“I’m furious that that this kind of thing -- recreation -- it’s taking precedence over safety,” said Frank McGuinness.

“I think it’s fair to say that National Grid has done a stunningly poor job on this,” said Kevin Paicos, town manager.

Paicos met with local officials, many who are equally upset that Gillette has power.

“The stadium is online, but 17,000 residents are without power?” said Lee Estabrook, who sits on the planning board. “You can’t tell me they’ll power up the stadium before residents without some sort of deal.”

Patriots’ owner Bob Kraft said he sympathizes with the frustration.

“We know it’s a serious situation,” said Kraft.

But Kraft said his organization had nothing to do with the decision to put Gillette back online. Gillette officials explained that the facility has two electrical feeds. One comes from Foxboro, the other from Wrentham -- providing a backup in case of a power outage.

Because Wrentham has power, officials said that’s why Gillette also as power, even though it’s neighbors don’t.

Another factor that is leading to more frustration is the Patriots Thursday night game against the New York Giants. With tens of thousands of people headed to Gillette Stadium, residents want to know how Foxboro will absorb that number if power isn’t back on in town.

“All of the sudden you’re going to have all these out-of-towners in here. You potentially can have people looting, breaking into businesses, God knows what,” said Ron Young.

The Kraft Organization has donated two, 900 kilowatt generators to help with the power situation. As for National Grid, officials said they are working on things and said most customers will have power in Foxboro by Friday.

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