Friday, April 06, 2012

Naperville Smart Meter Awareness


Naperville Smart Meter Awareness

Naperville Smart Meter Awareness


What You Can Do

Through a review of the US Energy Policy Act of 2005, the act only issues policy, not mandates, on smart meters.  AMI (a.k.a. Smart Meters) is optional and though it is endorsed by the U.S. government, it is not mandatory, it is a CHOICE.   (These comments are a summary of an individual review of these policies and is not legal advice.)
There many things that you can do to prevent the meter from being installed on your property and to have your voice heard.  The city will only respond to our call to action if public commentary is significant.  We have organized action items below.  While each is valuable, the first 4 are of highest priority.   Once you have gone through the list, keep coming back to this web page for more updates.
Please note that NSMA cannot advise whether or not to do any of the following.  Each homeowner must make this decision after considering and accepting responsibility for any ramifications.
1)  Send the utility a Notice of No Consent:  NoticeOfNoConsent-SmartMeter-Naperville
This document contains instructions with the letter to fill out and sign, then send via certified mail.  Post a copy of this notice on your meter and your front door.

2)  Apply a “DO NOT INSTALL SMART METER” Hang Tag on your electrical box.  Photograph the meter with the tag applied for your records.  Mail or drop off $3 donation (or 2 for $5 – put one on your door handle!) along with your address to Naperville Smart Meter Awareness, 1427 Westglen Dr., Naperville IL 60565.  The hang tag and zip tie will be mailed or dropped off to you.  Or – call NSMA at             (630) 579-0659       between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m. daily to make arrangements. 
Optional:  Post “Do Not Install” Notice to Front Door:  Post one of these on your front door
Full Page:  DoNotInstallSign
4 on a page (Cut and Share):  NSMA-MiniSign-4-UP

3)   If UPA comes to your door tell them the following and do not engage in conversation:
  • You do not want a smart meter
  • You are waiting the outcome of the federal lawsuit
  • You want them to leave your property.
  • BE PREPARED:  They may threaten you with the promise of fines or fees.  DO NOT BELIEVE THESE THREATS!  At this time (March 2012), no one has been charged fines or fees for refusing the meter!  Others in Naperville have said NO, refused, posted stickers or tags on their meters, and their meters have not been changed.  If the city intends to fine you or charge you fees, they MUST provide you with written notice well in advance.  If that happens, call the newspapers and us at             (630) 579-0659       or email usNapervilleSmartMeters@yahoo.com.

4)  Make a Financial donation to our non-profit organization.  Even a $10 donation will help offset our legal and communication costs.  We are seeking donated items that we can auction as well.  See our Donate page for more details or click here:
 
5)  Sign our “Cease and Desist” petition.  Contact us atNapervilleSmartMeters@yahoo.com to arrange to sign or circulate a paper petition.  As of October 1st, we are well on our way to our goal of 3,000 signatures, which is a tally of both online and paper signatures obtained.  With your help, we’ll quickly reach this goal.  Please consider circulating a petition.

6)  Be Home To Refuse:  According to UPA, Utility Partners of America, the city’s contracted installation company, hours of installation are Monday through Friday, between 8:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m.  A UPA representative on February 6 said installs can be as early as 7:30 a.m. or possibly as late as 3:30 but shouldn’t go beyond those hours.
Meter Guards:   People in our community and around the country are guarding their meter.  Here are some examples:  http://stopsmartmeters.org/2011/03/01/defend-your-analog-meter/
Post “No Trespassing” Signs:   Homeowners in our community and around the country are reiterating their rights to protect their property by posting a NO TRESPASSING sign clearly near your meter, in their yards, on their fences and/or front doors.
Lock your Fence:  Homeowners in our community and around the country are locking their fences where their meters are in their back yard.
Request Proof of Insurance:  Require the installer to provide proof of insurance guaranteeing that you have no liability if someone is hurt when installing the meter.
Record the visit to your home:  Record the interaction between yourself and the installer.  Verbally state that you refuse the installation and ask the installer to leave.  Document the truck number, license plate, and all interactions with the installer, including date, time and location, to have a record of your refusal.   Take detailed notes.  If you would like to document by video camera or still camera, you must ask permission.
REMINDER NSMA cannot advise whether or not to do any of the items on this page.  Each homeowner must make this decision after considering and accepting responsibility for any ramifications.

7)  Sponsor a Yard Sign - Contact us with your name, email, phone and address atNapervilleSmartMeters@yahoo.com and we will arrange to drop off a sign.  A $10donation to our non-profit, 501(c)(4) is requested: 
8   Car Magnet:  Support our mission and help spread the word by displaying a car magnet on your car.  The magnet is about 8″ x 11″ and looks identical to the Yard Sign above.  Mail a donation $12 check with your address made to Naperville Smart Meter Awareness, 1427 Westglen Dr., Naperville IL 60565 and one will be mailed or delivered to you.  Or call NSMA at            (630) 579-0659       between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m. daily to arrange purchase.

9)  Volunteer - We NEED YOUR HELP!  We have many tasks, small and big, that will help us connect with all of our neighbors.  Contact us at NapervilleSmartMeters@yahoo.com or call Jennifer at             (630) 579-0659       between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m.

10)  DO NOT VOTE EARLY:  As of January 30, 2012, we are awaiting an Appellate Court review of our appeal to overturn the decision made by the electoral board and the circuit court, which upheld an objection to a referendum petition submitted in November.  Vote on March 20, 2012.  This will allow time for the question to be on the ballot on that date.  Keep updated on the latest news regarding the referendum by signing up for our e-newsletter.

11)  FACEBOOK:  “Like” our Facebook page:  Naperville-Smart-Meter-Awareness and share it with all your Naperville FB friends, asking them to “Like” it too.
Write on the City’s Facebook page:  http://www.facebook.com/#!/NapervilleIL?sk=wall

12)  Stay Connected!  And Pass it on!  BE SURE to sign up for our newsletter and forward to  your neighbors and friends.  Email and pass out flyers to neighbors and Naperville businesses you frequent.   Post our flyers around town on community information bulletin boards.

13)  Write your Homeowners Association.  Contact us atNapervilleSmartMeters@yahoo.com for a sample letter to send to your HOA Board.  Consider taking out an ad in your HOA Newsletter.  Contact us for advertising content suggestions.

14)  Come to the City Council and Steering Committee meetings:
Per the city’s website, “The NSGI Steering Committee meets monthly every Thursday before the second City Council meeting of the month at the Electric Service Center, 1392 Aurora Avenue, at 9 a.m. The meetings are open to the public.  Upcoming meeting dates (please confirm by going to the city’s web page: http://www.naperville.il.us/nsgisteeringcommittee.aspx):
  • February 16
City Council and other pertinent meetings:
  • Tuesday, February 21, 2012:  City Council, 7:00 p.m. (arrive by 6:30 to sign in if you wish to speak)
  • Monday, February 27, 2012:  State of the City Address, 7:30 a.m. – 10:00 a.m., a breakfast meeting at Chicago Marriott Naperville Hotel, 1801 N. Naper Blvd. (tickets required:  http://www.naperville.net)
  • Tuesday, March 6, 2012:  City Council, 7:00 p.m. (arrive by 6:30 to sign in if you wish to speak)
  • Wednesday, March 7, 2012:  NSGI Community Meeting, 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m., Public Works Service Center, 180 Fort Hill Drive
  • Monday, March 12, 2012:  City Council Workshop: Final FY13 Budget, 5:00 p.m., City Council Chambers
  • Tuesday, March 20, 2012:  City Council, 7:00 p.m. (arrive by 6:30 to sign in if you wish to speak)
  • Wednesday, March 21, 2012:  NSGI Community Meeting, 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m., Maplebrook Elementary School, 1630 Warbler Drive
  • Wednesday, April 18, 2012:  NSGI Community Meeting, 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m., Cowlishaw Elementary School, 1212 Sanctuary Lane
  • Wednesday, May 2, 2012:  NSGI Community Meeting, 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m., Welch Elementary School, 2620 Leverenz Road
City Council meetings are held at the Municipal Building, 400 S. Eagle St.  If you feel moved to speak at the meetings, please arrive between 6:30 and 6:55 p.m. to sign in.  Every citizen has the right to express their concerns and you can speak for up to 3 minutes in the Public Forum.  For the most up-to-date city calendar, click here.
If you are unable to attend city council meetings, please watch live  on Channel 6 (WOW), Channel 10 (Comcast), or Channel 99 (AT&T U-verse).  Additionally, you can watch the meeting via computer by going to www.naperville.il.us/granicus.html.
Videos of City Council meetings and Workshops are available the day after.  Under “Archived Events”, click on ”City Council” … http://naperville.granicus.com/ViewPublisher.php?view_id=2

15)  Send emails  or letters expressing your sentiments to the Mayor, City Council, and the City Manager Douglas Krieger:
Council Members:
Bob Fieseler               (630) 417-7553        cell    Steering Committee Member
Grant Wherli               (630) 305-5331          Steering Committee Member
Mayor George Pradel               (630) 420-6018      
Judy Brodhead               (630) 305-5335      
Steve Chirico               (630) 305-5336      
Paul Hinterlong               (630) 305-5362      
Doug Krause               (630) 305-5332      
Joe McElroy               (630) 305-5334      
Kenn Miller               (630) 544-1211         cell
City manager Doug Krieger:                (630) 420-6044      
Electric Utility Director Mark Curran:                (630) 420-6131      

16) Contact the press.  Or write a letter to the editor…
Trib Localmjenco@tribune.com
The Patchmaryl@patch.com
Naperville Sunhbeck1997@yahoo.com
Daily Herald: jkmitch@dailyherald.com
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