Cohasset Begins Distributing Ice To Residents Without Power

COHASSET (CBS) - Like many other Massachusetts communities facing power outages, the frustration level is growing in the town of Cohasset. Mike Coughlin, the town manager, believes National Grid underestimated the extent of the outage. Coughlin estimates at least half the town is still in the dark, with few utility trucks in sight.

"The numbers from National Grid don't make sense to us," said Coughlin. "We're frustrated, we would like a more prompt response."

So the town has launched an unprecedented community outreach effort going door to door offering residents ice and  crews offering to haul away their rotting food. It couldn't come soon enough for resident Mike Cunnie.

WBZ-TV's Beth Germano reports

"The waiting and waiting, now it's too warm in the refrigerator so we're starting over with new ice," said Cunnie.

With food now at a smell point, resident Linda Brooks is parting with a refrigerator full and the town was at her doorstep offering to take it.

"It's a sin to throw food away, it bothers me but it can't be helped," she said. Town manager Coughlin says after last December's brutal winter storm that left the town without power, National Grid promised it would do better.

"They should have deployed sooner and when given commitments for service crews to be brought in, they have honored that commitment," he said.

For now they're putting the boots to the ground to ease the frustration of another dark night. "I'm managing, it's like camping and you do what you have to do," said Linda Brooks.