State Fines Utilities Millions for 2011 Storm Responses

NStar was fined $4 million in responses to Tropical Storm Irene and the October 2011 snowstorm, but already announced it plans to appeal.

The state on Tuesday ordered a total of $24.8 million in penalties to utility companies for their response to storms in 2011. Massachusetts Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Rick Sullivan joined Department of Public Utilities (DPU) Chairman Ann Berwick and DPU commissioners today to announce the findings of the DPU’s investigation into responses to Tropical Storm Irene and the October 2011 snowstorm. Provided the penalties hold up, customers should see a reduction in their bill, though it is unclear how much, officials said.  National Grid faces the steepest penalty, at $18.725 million; NSTAR has been ordered to pay $4.075 million; and Western Massachusetts Electric Company to pay $2 million. Recognizing that outages are …

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Fire Notes

Fire Log: Emergencies During Winter Storm

Fire crews responded to emergencies caused by a rare October snowstorm.

Friday, October 28 8:40 p.m.: Medical - The ambulance responded to a medical emergency on High Street. A resident was transported to MetroWest Medical Center, Framingham. 8:42 p.m.: Medical - The backup ambulance and paramedics from Events EMS responded to another medical emergency elsewhere on High Street. A resident was transported to MetroWest Medical Center, Framingham.   Saturday, Oct. 29 5:22 a.m.: Medical - The ambulance responded to a medical emergency on Concord Street. A resident was transported to MetroWest Medical Center, Framingham.  5:20 p.m.: Medical - The ambulance responded to a medical emergency on Central Street. Two residents were transported to Milford Regional Medical Center.  6:52 p.m.: Investigation - Weekend Duty …

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Top Comments of the Week

The best reader comments of the last week. Did you make the list?

On Massachusetts Casino Legislation Raises Concern in Holliston Jenn Suhajda: "Don't forget Detroit. That city has been on the decline for decades, and the three casinos certainly didn't help the situation there." On: Lacrosse Finds a Way to Give Back in Massachusetts TVL Dad: It was a horrible decision to open school on Monday and it was poorly communicated on top of that. Even though NSTAR shut off the power and didn't tell anyone, it STILL should have been communicated to the parents...Then, waiting until 11:40AM on Monday to do damage control only made the situation worse. We all get emails, texts and phone calls from the town, there was NO EXCUSE to open and not tell anyone. If an attempt was made (rather than an email or something …

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Storm Caused Car Accident, Damaged Power Transformers

Power out after officer sees transformer "blow."

Saturday's storm damaged power transformers in Holliston and caused a car to lose control, injuring its driver, according to Police logs. The driver, who's name police have not yet released, was brought to Milford Hospital for treatment. Police later charged the driver with a license violation, according to reports. Damage to power systems was extensive, with outages currently impacting residents throughout the town. A resident on Westfield Drive reported at 6:50 p.m. seeing a tree limb on power lines, causing a fire. Holliston Fire Department and NStar crews were notified.  On Concord Street, a tree limb fell into a home, damaging its roof. Fire crews and building inspectors were sent to the home. Power was reported being out in parts of …

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1,500 Without Power in Holliston

Time of restoration is still unknown.

Wet, heavy snow, clinging to leaves during a rare October storm, has knocked out power for over 1,500 Holliston residents, a NStar report said.  While NStar has given predictions for some neighboring towns, the company's website lists Holliston's estimated restoration time as "assessing." The town's High School is currently powered, according to Holliston Police.  Cleanup crews told the New York Times this is the "worst tree devastation they had ever seen."

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Snow Causes Blackouts in Holliston [Poll]

With snow accumulation predictions as high as one foot, many homes in the Northeast have lost power.

Homes on Pinecrest and Birchwood Streets lost power around 7 p.m. during a snowstorm that threatens power across the Northeast, according to Holliston Police.  25 million people are under a winter storm advisory with power outages expected in large areas of the region.  Over 1 million are currently without power because of the storm, according to examiner.com.

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Thousands Without Power, Roads Closed, Trees Down and More

Hopkinton Police are asking that folks stop calling with power outage questions.

The Hopkinton Police Department is asking that people only call them with true emergencies and not questions pertaining to the electricity. "The honest to God truth is we just don't know when it will be back," Dispatcher, Lou Gonzalez said. "We are as much in the dark as the customers (no pun intended)." Gonzales noted that the following roads are closed: Saddle Hill Rd., Cedar St., Wood St., Grove St., Elm St., and Pond St. "Saddle Hill Rd., Wood St and Grove St., remain closed at this hour," Gonzalez said. "The others listed are partially open. We got hit pretty hard." Gonzales also stated that there are more customers than he can count with felled trees and power still out. "We got hit pretty hard," Gonzalez said. If you have questions …

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