For Immediate Release

Tuesday, Oct. 31, 2017

Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: john@jgpr.net

Extensive Recovery and Restoration Efforts Continue in Andover

ANDOVER — Town Manager Andrew Flanagan reports that town officials and work crews are continuing to work tirelessly in the wake of this weekend’s storm, which downed trees and power lines throughout town and knocked out power to 80 percent of residences, businesses and municipal buildings in town.

“I’m truly proud of the efforts put forth by our town yesterday, which are continuing throughout the day today,” Town Manager Flanagan said. “We are working as quickly and diligently as possible to get all town and school buildings up and running.”

ELECTRICAL CREWS MAKING PROGRESS

National Grid has restored power to thousands of residents after more than three-quarters of the town was left without electricity Monday. All light signals at intersections have been restored. In addition, several businesses, town buildings and all but three of the town’s 10 schools now have power. The town’s water treatment plant, which had been running on generator power for about 40 hours, is back running on normal power.

On Tuesday morning, there were about 6,800 customers without power. By 3 p.m., that number had decreased to 4,750 customers, according to National Grid. The utility company is focusing their efforts on restoring power to substations in Tewksbury and North Andover, which feed portions of Andover.

National Grid tree crews have been in town since 7 a.m. and are actively working with town workers to clear roads from downed trees and wires. More National Grid workers will be coming into town Tuesday night.

Town officials were on a statewide call with National Grid and the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) Tuesday afternoon to discuss further updates. No timetable has been established for when power would be fully restored in Andover, according to National Grid.

SCHOOLS STATUS TO BE ANNOUNCED EARLY WEDNESDAY MORNING

Power has been restored to seven of the town’s 10 public schools. A determination on whether school will be held Wednesday will be made early tomorrow morning by Public Schools Superintendent Sheldon Berman, in a similar procedure that would be followed in the days after a major snowfall.

School was cancelled on Tuesday due to the storm’s impact on the town.

“Although we hope to have school in session tomorrow, it is too early to make that judgment. We want to give the crews working on the problem as much time to address it as possible. If there is a delayed start tomorrow or a cancellation of school, it will be announced by 5 a.m.,” Superintendent Berman said.

WARMING AND CHARGING STATION OPENS AT 8 P.M.

The Andover Senior Center will serve as a warming station for residents and a place to charge electronic devices. Temperatures are expected to dip as low as 34 degrees Tuesday night, according to the National Weather Service.

The Senior Center, at 30 Whittier Court, will be open from 8-11 p.m. Tuesday and will reopen again at 4 a.m. Wednesday.

“It will get cold tonight so we welcome those without power to come and get warm and charge their phones and electronics,” Town Manager Flanagan said. “We will have have food and refreshments available.”

TRICK-OR-TREATING UPDATE

Trick-or-treating on Oct. 31 has been moved to this weekend. Halloween festivities will now be held on Sunday, Nov. 5 from 4 -7 p.m.

###