Incident At Belmont Middle And High Schools Leaves Two Belmont Light Workers Hospitalized

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Photo: Belmont Middle and High School

A pair of Belmont Light workers are hosptialized in stable condition after a electical accident in a manhole at Belmont Middle and High School on Tuesday, April 8.

The blast cut power to the building housing the high and middle school, forcing the school to use generators for the remainder of the school day.

In a press release from the Belmont Fire Department, personnel were called to the school’s front parking lot shortly after 9:45 a.m. “Upon arrival, firefighters found two injured electrical workers that had been working in a manhole when an accident occurred.”

“This morning two Belmont Light line workers were involved in an electrical flash incident while working inside a manhole near Belmont High School,” according to a press release from the town’s electric utility.

“The line workers were wearing appropriate protective equipment and were able to exit the manhole under their own power. Both line workers were transported to Massachusetts General Hospital where they are in stable condition and are being treated for their injuries.”

In an email addressed to high school students and their families sent at 10:15 a.m., Belmont High School Principal Isaac Taylor said “[a]ll staff and students are safe and not impacted by the accident.”

Taylor said the accident “resulted in a power outage” throughout the building that houses grades 7-12. While lighting inside the schools were “limited,” the school day continued using in-house generators, which allowed hot lunches to be served.

Breaking: Massive Blackout In Belmont As Manhole Fire Plunges Town Into The Dark [UPDATES]

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Photo: The service map from Belmont Light’s webpage shows the town impacted by the outage

A manhole explosion at approximately 10 p.m. on Hittinger Street is responsible for plunging most of Belmont into the dark, according to Belmont Light, the municipal electrical utility.

The explosion and subsequent fire “caused the entire west side of town to lose power,” read a message on the utility’s Facebook account. While power remained on in the southeast section of Belmont and along Belmont Street and Trapelo Road into Cushing Square, all other neighborhoods and streets were dark. The resulting loss of electricity left most homes without power, street lights to go out, and resulted in drivers negotiating intersections without traffic signals.

Belmont Light said it has crews at the location, which is nearby to one of its transformer stations.

“We are ensuring that line workers can safely enter the manhole before determining the extent of the damage. We will provide an update ASAP,” the posting read.

UPDATE: At approximately 11:31 p.m., Belmont Light reported it had identified a failed cable and are testing others in an attempt to isolate the issue.

“We hope to start to pick customers back up within 30 minutes [at midnight, March 19] and will be making progress to restore power for all customers following testing.”

UPDATE: Belmont Light has completed the work bringing power back to the town.

Belmont Light’s Second Annual Public Power Week Open House On Monday, Oct. 7

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Photo: The Open House will take place on Monday from 3 p.m. – 6 p.m.

Belmont Light will be hosting its second annual Open House in honor of Public Power Week.

The Open House will take place on Monday, Oct. 7 from 3 p.m. – 6 p.m. at Belmont Light’s headquarters located at 40 Prince St., and will feature activities for the whole family such as:

  • Touch-a-Truck
  • Dress as a Line Worker
  • Safety Demonstrations
  • Kids Activities, and more

Public Power Week is a national event celebrating community-owned utilities and their benefits, such as reliability, accountability, and local focus.

Parking is available onsite. Refreshments will be served.

Be Prepared For Tuesday’s Nor’easter With Important Belmont Safety Numbers

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Photo: Get ready for a parking ban on Tuesday.

If you thought you wouldn’t need to use the snow shovel or salt on the sidewalk this warmer-than-usual winter, you would be in for a rude surprise on Tuesday morning as an old-fashioned nor’easter will slam into Massachusetts, according to the National Weather Service, which has issued a Winter Storm Warning for most of the region.

For Belmont residents, Tuesday will be about parking restrictions and having town resources close at hand.

“A significant winter storm will continue impacting the Southern Rockies and High Plains today before turning northeast and aiming for the Northern Mid-Atlantic, New York, and New England early this week,” said an NWS press release sent out at 3 a.m. Sunday, Feb 11.

“Heavy snow is possible. Total snow accumulations of 4 to 8 inches are possible. Winds could gust as high as 40 mph,” predicts the NWS on Sunday. The storm will start late Monday night and last through late Tuesday night. The hazardous conditions could impact the morning or evening commute.

Residents should expect the Belmont Police to issue a Snow Emergency Parking Ban just before the storm arrives. During the ban, vehicles parked on town roadways, and in municipal and Belmont Public School parking lots will be towed at the owner’s expense.

Residents should visit the town’s website for information on winter weather and the snow removal bylaw.

With high winds expected, there is a possibility power to residences will be impacted. Residents should contact Belmont Light to report outages – do not call 911 unless it is a true emergency.

  • Call Belmont Light at 617-993-2800 to report an outage.
  • To text an outage report, message your information to 617-993-6006 (message and data rates may apply) with your name, address, and outage information. 

Flood Watch Issued For Belmont Until Monday Afternoon; Strong Winds Could Cause Outages

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Photo: Be prepared: Strong winds could lead to power outages

The National Weather Service issued on Sunday, Dec. 10 a flood watch for central Middlesex county including Belmont that will remain in effect through Monday evening, Dec. 11.

Excessive runoff may result in flooding of rivers, creeks, streams, and other low-lying and flood-prone locations. Creeks and streams may rise out of their banks. Flooding may occur in poor drainage and urban areas. Storm drains and ditches may become clogged with debris.

The heavy rain will be accompanied by sustained south-southeast winds of 25 to 35 miles per hour with gusts of 30 to 50 miles per hour into Monday, with stronger gusts up to 70 mph along the coast.

In areas with the strongest wind gusts, scattered power outages are likely, and “trees and power lines, and numerous tree limbs could be downed,” according to the NWS. “Damage or blow away of poorly secured outdoor objects is expected.”

PHONE IN AN OUTAGE TO BELMONT LIGHT AT 617-993-2800. DO NOT CALL 911.

REPORT AN OUTAGE TO BELMONT LIGHT VIA TEXT AT 617-993-6006

To text an outage report please text your message to with all the necessary information: Name, address, outage information. When reporting an outage, Belmont Light is encouraging customers to send imagery of any damages, infrastructure issues, and general community engagement.

Breaking: With High Usage Predicted, Belmont Light Asking Consumers To Power Down Thursday Afternoon

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Photo: High electrical usage expected Thursday

With high temperatures forecast on Thursday to reach the mid-90s, Belmont Light is asking customers to power down their electrical appliances tomorrow afternoon.

“With hot temperatures returning to the area and more residents home from summer vacations, we are predicting that Thursday, September 7 will be a day of peak energy usage in Belmont,” said the utility’s press release sent on Sept. 6.

With that in mind, Belmont Light requests residents to reduce their electricity usage from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 7 as much as possible to keep costs lower and our energy supply cleaner.

There are simple, concrete things that you can do at home to help keep Belmont Light’s demand peak low, including:

  • Turn the target temperature on thermostats and window unit air conditioners slightly higher. Even a two-degree change in room temperature can make a massive change for you and Belmont Light while not being noticeable to you and your family.
  • Do not do laundry during the peak demand time period. Shift your use of your clothes washer and dryer to before 5 p.m. or after 7 p.m.
  • Cook dinner on the grill instead of using your oven and other appliances. Using your kitchen’s oven also has the negative effect of raising your home’s overall temperature.
  • Turn off and unplug non-essential electronic devices, especially ones not in use. Examples like televisions, computers, and video game consoles, even when not in use, may still draw electricity.

In the release, Belmont Light shows how reducing consumption at this time is a net benefit to customers’ wallets and the environment:

Peak energy usage costs more for Belmont Light and you. When demand for electricity on the New England grid rises above levels that are not typically available, ISO-NE must call on “peaker plants” to go online to provide backup generation. These plants charge a higher rate than typical generators, with a premium placed on their availability during these peak times. Additionally, utilities like Belmont Light are charged by ISO-NE for the highest amount of demand that they have during these peak times, known as the coincident peak. Belmont Light and other utilities must pay year-round for the potential of reaching this coincident peak.

Peak energy generation tends to be from fossil fuel sources, like gas and oil. In situations of peak demand, the peaker plants that ISO-NE calls on for emergency generation must be ready to fire up on short notice. 

There It Blows: Gale Forced Winds/Snow This Week Could Cause Outages

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Photo: Wind and snow over the next three days

Gale forced winds up to 70 mph will storm through eastern Massachusetts and Belmont from Monday, March 13 to Wednesday, March 15 with the potential of down electrical wires causing outages during the week.

In a press release issued at 3:35 p.m. on Sunday, March 12, the National Weather Service said a Winter Storm Watch will be in effect from Monday evening through Wednesday morning.

The storm will start as rain, changing to snow Tuesday morning, accumulating into Tuesday night. The late day Tuesday commute will likely be impacted with snow covered roads and low visibility,” said the NWS.

“Travel could be difficult. Heavy wet snow combined with gusty winds could bring down tree branches and result in power outages,” said the report.

If the lights go out, call Belmont Light‘s outage number: 617-993-2800

Or text an outage to 617-993-6006 with all the necessary information: Name, address, outage information. When reporting an outage Belmont Light encourage customers to send photos of any damages, infrastructure issues, and general community engagement. But do it safely.

Belmont Light also has an outage map online where customers and residents stay informed on the extent of the outage.

Belmont Light: Residential Customers To See Electric Rates Jump On Avg. $14/Mo

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Photo: Utility bills will be increasing this winter

The typical Belmont Light residential customer will see their electric rate rise on average $14 a month, according to a consultant’s report provided to the Belmont Municipal Light Board at its Oct. 12 meeting.

The upward adjustment to electric rate design will go into effect on Jan. 1, 2023 after an affirmative vote by the board.

“The new rate design allows Belmont Light to keep up with skyrocketing prices in the energy markets, sparked by a dramatic increase in natural gas costs, among a number of other factors while continuing to upgrade its electric delivery system and improve upon its reliability,” said a recent press release from the town’s municipal utility.

The increase comes after more than a decade of stable rates with little fluctuation in an average bill.

The local increase is far less than what one of the major state-wide utilities is proposing.

“In total, the monthly bill of a typical residential electric customer using 600 kWh (kilowatt-hours) will increase from $179 in the winter 2021-2022 season, to approximately $293 for the winter 2022-2023 season,” National Grid said in a press release this month, a jump of 64 percent year-over-year.

The Belmont Light report was provided by PLM Electric Power Engineering, a highly-specialized electric power consulting and design firm based in Marlborough.

The overall revenue increase for all classes is 13.5 percent in 2023. For residential customers with an average usage of 500 kWh, their bill will increase from $111.19 to $125.18 or just about 12 percent. Residential low income customers will see charges jump $8.81 ($69.82 to $78.63) a month which is about a 12.6 percent.

Those who purchase from the utility for commercial heating will see a 12.2 percent increase while large municipal users will see its average bill increase by 5.7 percent, or $552 – $9,624 to $10,176 – with an average 60,000 kWh bill.

While the distribution increase is estimated to be just north of four percent, purchase power is expected to jump by 18 percent.

At these rates, the anticipated revenue in both 2023 and 2024 will be able to fund the utility’s debt repayment and PILOT – payment in lieu of taxes – to the town. But distribution rates will need to increase another six percent to meet the anticipated 2025 overall revenue needs.

Before it votes on approving the new rates, the Municipal Light Board is holding a public forum where it will present in less technical terms the need for an increase while answering any customer’s questions.

The public forum will take place on Wednesday, Oct. 26 at 7 p.m. on Zoom. Belmont Media Center will also air the public forum on its TV and internet channels, Channel 96 on Comcast, Channel 30 on Verizon, and belmontmedia.org/watch/infotv

Click Here to Join the Public Forum

Belmont Socked With More Than A Foot-And-A- Half Of Snow From Blizzard Of ‘22

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Photo: It was a bomb of a storm Saturday with 19 inches of snow left behind

While not as bad as Boston and the South Shore, Belmont received its fair share of snow and wind from the “bomb cyclone” winter storm that sat over the town for the 24 hours of Saturday, Jan. 29.

According to the Department of Public Works, the Town of Homes received 19 inches of snow that left driving nearly impossible during the afternoon hours as 50 mph winds limited visibility.

Belmont Light reported a single large outage early in the storm when 811 customers on Horace, Gilbert, Slade and Creeley lost power at 7:30 a.m. The lights were restored in just under an hour.

While the near gale forced gusts swept over the town, there were no reports of any trees lost, “but several good size limbs come down or broke and were hanging,” said DPW Director Jay Marcotte, who said that 40 pieces of equipment between the town and the town’s contractors.

“Wind and temperatures were most challenging during this storm,” said Marcotte. “Light fluffy snow causes an overspray of snow that hits the windshield and would instantly freeze. [Our] drivers needed to constantly clear windshields and with the limited visibility, it slowed things down considerably.”

Since Sunday, “clean up is still ongoing and will commence for the next few days,” he said.

No Surprise Here: Snow Emergency Parking Ban Declared Beginning Just Before Midnight On Friday, Jan. 28

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Photo: It could be the big one.

With a (maybe-not-so) historic blizzard waiting on the horizon, Belmont has declared a snow emergency parking ban on all roadways as well as parking in municipal lots and Belmont Public School parking lots starting at 11:45 p.m., Friday, Jan. 28 and continuing until the town sees fit lifting it.

All vehicles parked in violation of the ban will be towed at the owner’s expense. 

The latest update from the National Weather Service at 3:22 p.m. on Friday calls for blizzard conditions for 24 hours starting at midnight, Jan. 29 with total snow accumulations of 18 to 24 inches accompanied with winds gusting as high as 60 mph. Some meteorologists this afternoon have scaled back their earlier assumptions, with one dragging it back to 12 to 16 inches.

Travel could be extremely difficult to impossible as the storm enters Saturday afternoon.

While the snow will be light and fluffy north of the Massachusetts Turnpike, blizzard winds could cause branches to land on electric wires and cut power. For anyone who losses electricity during the blizzard should call the Belmont Light Outage line at 617-993-2800. You can also follow where the lights are out by visiting the outage map at https://www.belmontlight.com/service-map/

All town, school and library activities have been cancelled for both Saturday and Sunday. 

The Department of Public Works asks residents to please exercise caution when walking on or near roadways as visibility for plow truck operators will be significantly reduced.

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