New option for electricity provider in Town of Griswold??

Consumers living in Griswold that receive electricity from CL&P may find themselves with a new option for meeting their electric needs. An effort is underway to give Griswold consumers the option of buying electricity from the Jewett City Department of Public Utilities (JCDPU).

Ron Ward, candidate for Borough Warden running on the Jewett City Party (JCP) ticket, has announced a plan to extend current JCDPU services beyond the limits of the borough. Ward stated, "By including more customers, individual rate payers will realize the savings achieved through economies of scale. The objective is to ease the financial burden of families confronted with an ever rising tide of higher electric bills."

An act of the Connecticut Legislature approved on April 21, 1909 indicated that the "new option" might be available. The text of the legislative initiative is printed on page 37 of the Charter of the Borough of Jewett City which is on file in the Slater Public Library. It reads as follows:

• Authorizing The Borough of Jewett City to Furnish Electric Light Outside the Limits of Said Borough. RESOLVED by this Assembly; That the Borough of Jewett City be and hereby is authorized and empowered to furnish electric light from its municipal electric light plant to the inhabitants of that portion of the Town of Griswold located outside the limits of said Borough. (Approved, April 21, 1909) (Substitute for House Bill No. 351).

Ron Ward will be contacting legislative leaders to seek guidance as to how this "law from the past" can serve as a means to provide less expensive electric service to the consumer of today.

"Currently, JCDPU electric rates are 16% higher than rates charged by CL&P," explained Ward. He continued by stating, "However, I am committed to creating the JCDPU Consumer Board of Utility Control and taking immediate action as Warden of the Borough to make our electric light plant the obvious choice for competitive electric rates."

Residents, taxpayers and community members are encouraged to attend a public meeting being held by the Jewett City Party at 7:00 pm on Wednesday, January 24, 2007 at the Griswold Town Hall which is located at 28 Main St., Jewett City, CT.