Hot days lead to power shutdown at Geer

NORTH CANAAN — Voluntary power shutdowns at Geer Village and Geer Nursing and Rehabilitation Center have raised concern for some residents and family members who say they do not know what is going on.

But Geer staff gave their assurances this week that there is nothing amiss and all requirements for the safety and well-being of residents is being met.

It happened twice last week; on Tuesday, June 22, and again on Thursday, June 24. Both facilities switched over to generator power, cutting off all non-essential electrical use. It’s part of an agreement with ISO-New England, the nonprofit that has operated the region’s power grid since 1997. Geer, along with other large power consumers who have generators, are paid a monthly fee in exchange for on-demand shut-offs that can last up to three hours at a time.

“On hot days, when everyone’s air conditioner is running and threatening to overload the grid, we will get a call and e-mail to shut down immediately,� said Geer COO John Horstman. “It is very unusual for it to happen twice in one week. We’ve been doing this for two or three years now and this is probably only the fourth time we’ve had to shut down power.�

This reporter happened to be at Geer Village during Thursday’s outage, which extended to the YMCA, and found little to indicate anything different. The facility remained comfortably cool and there was plenty of lighting.

Emergency lights at the village are not the typical dedicated flood lights, but are wall sconces and stairwell lighting that are part of the normal lighting scheme. Natural light floods in through large windows in the lobby and other common areas.

Maintenance Foreman Scott Beecher explained that Geer follows the same well-practiced routine as during emergency power outages.

Two of four elevators continue to operate, as does the entire dining service facility. All health and safety codes are met, Beecher said.

Staff members go to each apartment to advise residents and make sure their needs, such as power for oxygen, are met. Each apartment has one functioning outlet.

Forced shutdowns only occur during daylight hours. However, kitchen appliances, televisions and individual air conditioners don’t work, which has some residents feeling a bit hot under the collar.

The financial benefits from the agreement are significant, though.

“This is found money for us,� Horstman said. “It’s been at least a year since the last time it happened, and its really a minor inconvenience for anyone. Campuswide, we use about two million kilowatt hours per year, so there’s a lot of power to be saved by going off the grid. It helps everyone in the long run. If we and others didn’t do it, we would be looking at brownouts and blackouts for everyone.�

Noble Horizons in Salisbury participates in the ISO-New England program for its skilled care facility, but not its cottages. Sharon Health Care does not participate.

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