For immediate release 6-29-09

For information contact:

(781) 245-7070

(Wakefield, MA) - The Wakefield Municipal Gas & Light Department (WMGLD) has installed more than 2,500 automated meters during the first phase of the department’s ongoing program to automate all 18,000 electric and gas meters within the next three years.

The automated meter reading system will enable the WMGLD meter readers to remotely access and record pertinent usage information without having to gain regular entry into homes and businesses. The meters that have been changed are in homes and businesses that were in need of new meters, or in areas of the town in which WMGLD crews were already working, according to WMGLD General Manager Pete Dion.

The WMGLD expects that more than 4,000 WMGLD customers will have automated meters installed by the end of the year.

“The process typically takes a short time and there is minimal, if any, disruption to the customer,” General Manager Dion said. “As the program continues and expands, we will begin to notify customers that we will be the area to install the new equipment.”

When all meters have been changed, meter readers will be able to remotely gather the readings from a hand-held device as they pass or drive by the residence.

“This is a more customer-friendly system,” Dion added. “When the system is fully operational, WMGLD meter readers will not have to enter the home to obtain an actual reading, and customers will no longer be asked to contact the WMGLD with their readings if they are not home when the meter reader is in their area.”

For information about the automated meter reading system, please call the WMGLD at 781-246-6363.