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Whitman Fire and Police Offer Tips to Stay Safe and Warm this Winter

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Tuesday, Dec. 26, 2017

Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: [email protected]

Whitman Fire and Police Offer Tips to Stay Safe and Warm this Winter

WHITMAN — Police Chief Scott D. Benton and Fire Chief Timothy J. Grenno would like to provide the community with several important tips to stay safe and warm as temperatures continue to drop this winter.

“Now that the really cold weather is here, it’s important for our residents to try and limit outdoor activities for the whole family, including pets,” Chief Grenno said. “Wintertime can be a fun time of year, especially when it snows. But, we want kids and adults to remember to layer up when they do go outside.”

To stay safe, follow these tips from the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency and Whitman Police and Fire:

  • If outside, dress in several layers of loose-fitting, lightweight clothing instead of a single heavy layer. Outer garments should be tightly woven and water repellent. Wear a hat, mittens (not gloves) and sturdy waterproof boots to protect your extremities. Cover your mouth with a scarf to protect your lungs.
  • For your car, check your antifreeze, battery, defroster, windshield wipers, wiper fluid and other vehicle equipment to make sure they are ready for winter driving.
  • Ensure you have sufficient heating fuel, as well as alternate emergency heating equipment in case you lose electricity. There are many resources available for low-income residents who meet certain requirements. National Grid and Eversource offer discounted rates on services to those who are eligible. The state’s Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program can help certain households pay for a portion of their heating bills.
  • When utilizing alternate heating sources, such as an emergency generator, your fireplace, wood stove, or space heater, take necessary safety precautions:

— Keep a fire extinguisher handy and ensure everyone knows how to use it properly.
— Never heat your home with a gas stove or oven or charcoal barbecue grill.
— Make sure all heating devices are properly ventilated and always operate a generator outdoors and away from your home. Improper heating devices can lead to dangerous carbon monoxide buildup in the home.
— Test smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors. Carbon monoxide is an odorless, colorless gas that can cause flu-like illness or death. If you suspect carbon monoxide poisoning, call 911 immediately, get the victim to fresh air and open windows.

  • Check on your elderly neighbors or any neighbors that may live alone.

“No one should be left out in the cold during the winter. We ask our residents to watch out for each other and luckily we have some fantastic people in Whitman,” Chief Benton said. “If you know of someone who might be struggling to keep the heat on, there are resources available.”

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Town of Andover Provides Update on Storm Damage and Recovery

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Town of Andover
Andrew P. Flanagan, Town Manager
36 Bartlet St.
Andover, MA 01810

townsealandoverFor Immediate Release

Monday, Oct. 30, 2017

Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: [email protected]

Town of Andover Provides Update on Storm Damage and Recovery

Schools Closed Oct. 31

Halloween Postponed to Later Date to Allow Clean-up and Power Restoration to Proceed

Town to Open Library, Other Buildings for Device Charging and Food Service

ANDOVER — Andover Town Manager Andrew Flanagan announces cleanup and recovery efforts in the wake of a severe storm that has affected numerous communities and has left more than three quarters of the town without power:

“We have fully deployed town resources in order to ensure the public’s safety,” Town Manager Flanagan said. “Our response has been comprehensive despite competing demands of services, and I am incredibly moved by the response we have received so far from town workers, residents, and business owners.”

Nearly 80 Percent of Andover without power

As of 5 p.m. Monday, nearly 80 percent of the residents, businesses, and municipal buildings in Andover did not have electricity. Statewide there were 259,000 National Grid customers without power, according to the utility provider. A primary source of the problem appears to be 33 high tension power lines throughout the Merrimack Valley that were knocked down during the storm. National Grid crews were on-scene in Andover making restoration efforts.

While there currently is no definite timetable for when power will be completely restored, National Grid has given an estimate of up 72 hours of high tension line repair work.

As a result, the Town of Andover is activating its emergency management protocols. The Memorial Hall Library will be open until 9 p.m. Monday, and will be open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday. The Cormier Youth Center (40 Whittier Court) will open at 8 a.m. Tuesday. Both locations will serve as charging stations for residents to come in and charge their cell phones and mobile devices.

Andover Meals on Wheels has been activated to check on and assist the town’s elderly residents.

“If there is anything positive to take away from this, it is that temperatures are mild, and we have not had the extremely cold nights that accompany winter storms. That said, I still encourage our residents to check on their neighbors. Make sure your friends and neighbors are well, and see if they need anything,” Town Manager Flanagan said. “Mother Nature, as she tends to, has sent us a curveball, and how we come together as a community to respond makes all the difference.”

The Andover Town Offices and West Fire Station are also without power.

Public Schools CLOSED Tuesday

With fallen power lines and other debris blocking roads, Superintendent Sheldon Berman announced that all Andover Public Schools will be closed on Tuesday, Oct. 31.

This action is being taken out of an abundance of caution to allow work crews to conduct repair and cleanup operations without any risk to children or school buses on the roadways.

“The decision to close schools is never made lightly,” Superintendent Berman said. “However, with the significant damage and the work that must be done to recover, it is the best course of action to ensure the safety of our students and faculty.”

The majority of Andover schools are without power or with limited generator service.

Trick-or-Treating Postponed

Halloween events and Trick-or-Treating will be postponed as a precautionary measure. The town will reschedule those activities based on the progress power restoration and cleanup efforts. 

Town Resources

The town’s municipal services, forestry, parks and highway departments been working throughout Sunday night and Monday to clean debris from roadways. 

Dozens of town roads remain closed, and those who don’t have a reason to travel are asked to refrain from driving so that crews can work more easily.

The Andover water treatment plant is running on generator power and has enough capacity to handle the demands of the town. Sewer pumping stations are all running on street or generator power.

In addition, Andover Fire Rescue remains on scene at a chemical fire that ignited inside a tractor trailer traveling on Interstate 495, forcing officials to close the highway indefinitely. 

Andover’s Drinking Water Remains Safe

Power has been restored to the Greater Lawrence Sanitary District in North Andover. The wastewater treatment facility serves Andover, Lawrence, Methuen, North Andover and Salem, New Hampshire.

The town has extended Tuesday’s property tax deadline until Tuesday, Nov. 7, and residents have until that date to pay without incurring a late fee. Residents are also encouraged to use town’s online bill pay feature by visiting http://andoverma.gov/412/Online-Bill-Pay. Payments can be made via electronic check or with a credit or debit card.

The Andover Health Division staff has also been put on standby and health inspectors are reaching out to food service establishments that lost power to offer their assistance.

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Great Barrington Fire Department Responds to Utility Pole Fire

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Great Barrington Fire Department
Chief Charles Burger
37 State Road
Great Barrington, MA 01230

For Immediate Release

Thursday, Sept. 7, 2017

Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: [email protected]

Great Barrington Fire Department Responds to Utility Pole Fire

Main Street was closed for several hours as National Grid employees worked to repair a transformer that caught fire early this morning. (Courtesy Photo)

GREAT BARRINGTON — Chief Charles Burger reports that the Great Barrington Fire Department responded to downtown this morning after a utility pole caught fire.

Shortly after 5:30 a.m., firefighters responded to the area in front of 100 Main St. for a report of a utility pole fire.

Upon arrival, firefighters observed that the pole had been burning from the top, and was was still on fire. In addition, power lines and three transformers were dangling and in danger of falling into the roadway. Due to safety concerns, the road was shut down. National Grid responded to the scene and cut the power, allowing the fire to quickly burn itself out.

There were no injuries as a result of the fire and power has since been restored to the area. However, the wires and transformers remained in danger of falling, requiring National Grid employees to stage their vehicles in the road to conduct repairs.

The Great Barrington Fire and Police Departments worked together to close Main Street and detour traffic onto East Street until around noon, though work to repair the pole remains ongoing.

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Photos: Whitman Fire Responds to Gas Leak

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Whitman Fire Department
Timothy J. Grenno, Fire Chief
56 Temple St.
Whitman, MA 02382

For Immediate Release

Thursday, June 1, 2017

Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: [email protected]

Whitman Fire Responds to Gas Leak

WHITMAN – Chief Timothy J. Grenno reports that the Whitman Fire Rescue Department responded to a gas leak this morning that resulted in the evacuation of several homes.

At approximately 8:20 a.m., Whitman Fire received a call from a Whitman police officer working a detail, who reported that a construction crew struck a gas line while replacing a water line on Hogg Memorial Drive.

Upon arrival, firefighters began to secure the area. They deployed hose lines in the area to protect structures, anticipating possible ignition of the gas. Whitman is at the end of the National Grid line, meaning the gas line is highly pressurized.

“When you have a leak of that size, it clears all the rust and dirt out of the line,” Chief Grenno explained. “Because of this, a brown gas cloud covered the south and west end of town and began blowing into the center of town.”

Out of an abundance of caution, Whitman Fire evacuated 15 homes on the street, which contained only about six people. The middle school, located nearby on Corthell Avenue, briefly sheltered in place. Emergency Medical Crews were also on scene to assist a male resident on the street who was unable to exit his home due to his medical status and sheltered in place at his residence.

National Grid arrived on scene around 9:30 a.m. and began to repair the leak, which was located in front of 201 Hogg Memorial Drive. Whitman Police assisted on scene and were instrumental in evacuating homes. The East Bridgewater Fire Department provided station coverage for Whitman and responded to several emergencies in town.

No injuries were reported.

Two homes in the direct vicinity of the leak are covered in dirt and rust from the break.

Residents were able to return home at about 10:20 a.m.

Whitman Fire Rescue cleared the scene around 11:30 a.m. National Grid is on-site completing repairs, and Hogg Memorial Drive will remain closed during the repairs.

“We’re thankful that no one was hurt and we appreciate residents’ cooperation and patience during this incident,” Chief Grenno said. “At no time was anyone in serious danger.”

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