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Residents press Norway council to fix recurring low-voltage outages
Summary
Residents told the Norway City Council that low-voltage conditions on District 5 Road have caused flickering lights and repeated appliance failures; the mayor said the city is testing and has begun buying materials for repairs, but larger work and funding will occur in the next fiscal year.
Several residents told the City of Norway council that recurring low-voltage electricity on District 5 Road has damaged appliances, left lights flickering and impaired basic household functions.
"It's been happening for a couple years that I noticed," said Scott, a Norway Township resident, during public comment, describing refrigerators and freezers that would not run reliably and long appliance warm-up times. Chris Rugg, who said he moved into his District 5 Road home in March 2024, told the council he has replaced multiple freezers and a microwave as the problem persisted.
Mayor (speaker identified in the transcript as the mayor) and staff acknowledged recent, temporary voltage testing intended to restore minimum tolerances. The mayor said crews increased voltage in the short term and urged residents to report continuing problems so staff can track them. "Give me a call tomorrow ... let me know if there's been a change," the mayor told residents who described low readings and flicker at certain times of day.
Engineer and resident meter readings cited in public comment showed per-leg voltages near 100 volts at one home, where a typical target is about 120 volts. Tyler Grenland, who provided meter numbers, said readings fell below the usual operating range in evenings when air conditioning load rises.
City staff said a larger capital project to replace transformers and conductors for the affected sections is on the city's plan and that materials have begun to be procured. Staff emphasized that some of the work will require funding decisions in the next fiscal year and that short-term fixes do not obviate the need for more extensive reconstruction.
Council members and staff asked residents to file police or utility reports when failures occur so the city's files show the frequency and severity of outages. The mayor and council committed to follow up: staff will review historical meter data and continue coordinating with the light department about the timing and scope of line and transformer replacements.
The council did not take formal action on the utility comments during the meeting but directed staff to continue communications and to bring budgeting options forward during the next fiscal planning cycle.
