Thursday, 4:30 PM
KeySpan cuts off gas to shelter for homeless vets with unpaid bill
By Andrew Ryan and Stephanie Ebbert, Globe Staff
KeySpan Energy shut off the gas today at a shelter in Roxbury for homeless veterans because the nonprofit had fallen behind on its bill.
The utility sent a work crew with a police escort to Veterans Arms on Humboldt Avenue this morning, according to Ralph Cooper, the shelter’s executive director.
"We got behind," Cooper said, who estimated that the shelter was $9,000 in arrears. "I know we paid them over $2,000 last month, and I thought that we had worked it out."
Carmen Fields, director of media relations for KeySpan, said the shelter owes more than $12,000 -- and had failed to make a payment since August. At that time, she said, the shelter had agreed to a payment plan that called for payment of current charges and $2,000 monthly installments.
But despite at least a half-dozen notices sent since January, KeySpan has received no response, she said.
"We do not shut down service to anyone that communicates and makes a good-faith effort to keep any bargains or agreements entered into," Fields said.
The 15-year-old shelter has 10 single rooms that houses predominantly Vietnam-era veterans. They share a common kitchen and bathroom. The shelter plans to hold a press conference this afternoon to publicize its plight. Without gas, residents will not have hot water for showers or cooking.
Cooper spoke about the shut-off from Washington, where he said he was attending a conference about fund-raising techniques for homeless veterans. His frustration with KeySpan was evident.
"Give the veterans a break," Cooper said. "It's not like we are not paying them."
Fields said that the gas company tries to work with customers to prevent this situation and had waited until the end of winter to shut off the gas.
"We encourage them -- and every customer in a similar situation -- to work out a payment plan," Fields said. "We encourage installments over a long period of time, but they have to call and make the arrangements."
