27-01-2025
Monett introduces ‘Hometown Grid' to improve power outage updates
MONETT, Mo. — A new software program recently rolled out in Monett will keep customers updated when the power goes out.
It's called Hometown Grid and has been in the trial phase these past couple of weeks.
The program assists customers by letting them report an outage through text.
It will then work to figure out what the issue is and let the city know, so the city can then, in return, dispatch workers to the problem as quickly as possible.
The city's utilities superintendent, Skip Schaller, says, when an outage happens, the phone lines can often clog with customers trying to report it.
'It can immediately reply to those folks and let them know, 'Hey, it's going to be an hour before we get this fixed.' Or, when it's done, our folks out in the field can even hit a reply or something there and basically say, 'Power's restored.' And, that way, if there's still 3 or 4 people that don't have power, they can immediately let us know so they're not having to turn around and roll a truck back out,' said Skip Schaller, Monett Utilities superintendent.
Schaller says the city used the Hometown Grid program during a recent snowstorm, when a power pole was affected.
Customers will get information about the program and how it works through a bill insert this month.
That information is also on the city's website and social media.
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