Mid-Morning Blackout In Dover Affects 75% Of Residents

Dover’s Chickering Elementary School had an early release this morning at 11 a.m. because of a town wide power outage.

                According to the Dover-Sherborn Regional School District’s Superintendent’s office, the school had power when it opened but lost it at approximately 8:50 a.m.  The school then called for early dismissal.  The children left at 11 a.m. and the power was restored at noon.

Dover Police Chief Peter McGowan said this morning, “A major power outage knocked out about 75% of the town from 8:30 to 10:00”. The cause of the outage is undetermined, said McGowan.  The town informed NStar and they sent out a crew. “It was rectified within 90 minutes,” said the Chief.   

                Chickering Elementary School Principal Dr. Theresa Nugent declined to comment. 

                In other post October snowstorm news, the NStar website is reporting that both Dover and Sherborn should have 100 percent of their power back by the evening of November 2.  Currently, NStar reports that 260 (12.3%) Dover residents and 453 (26.1%) Sherborn residents are still without power

                McGowan said right now, “The streets are great. The roads are all open other than a few pockets around town”.

He said the hardest hit area were Crest Drive and Crest Drive West.  The town is waiting for tree cutting crews and waiting for NStar to re-set a poll which would restore power to that area.  Both jobs are scheduled to be finished today.

                McGowan said there was also a mysterious call that came to the station last night stating that the Dover Schools were closed.  Other residents may have received the same call.  Its origins are currently under investigation. 

                Sherborn Police Chief Rick Thompson said the streets of Sherborn are clear as well.  The only areas of Sherborn still out are on Harrington Ridge where a tree is lying across the power lines.