NSTAR Reports 421 Power Outages in Sudbury

Roughly 2,178 customers still affected in Massachusetts.

The strong winds from last night and today have left hundreds of Sudbury residents without power today. According to NSTAR, as of 1:45 p.m., 421 customers in Sudbury have lost power, or 6.15 percent of its customers. According to the National Weather Service, a wind advisory is still in effect for Sudbury until 6 p.m. Westerly winds blowing from 15 to 25 mpg, with gusts up to 50, can be expected. Is your neighborhood without power? Tell us in the comments section below.

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NSTAR Proposes Lowest Gas Heating Price in 10 Years

The proposed rate would save the average heating customers, using natural gas with NSTAR, about $15 a month.

NSTAR Gas customers can soon expect to pay the lowest natural gas price of any heating season since 2002. The company has submitted a new supply rate of 57.32 cents per therm, down 18 percent from last year’s price of about 70 cents. If approved by the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities, the new price would go into effect Nov. 1 and would save the average heating customer over $15 a month compared to last year. “As we head into another heating season with low prices, it’s no wonder we’re seeing record numbers of customers converting their heating systems to clean, efficient natural gas,” said Rod Powell, president of NSTAR Gas in a press release. “In today’s economy, with the price of other fuels hovering near all-time highs, our…

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VIDEO: Sudbury Fire Department Controls Electrical Emergency

Help from NSTAR prevents sparks from turning into blaze at 693 Boston Post Road.

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NSTAR Says 'No' to Sudbury's $30K Tree Maintenance Fee

Spokesman Mike Durand says the utility company is working with town officials on other solutions.

NSTAR has told the Town of Sudbury it will not pay a $30,000 maintenance fee on new trees that would replace the ones cut down this year, but spokesman Michael Durand said the company is still honoring a commitment it made to the town. "Wet let (Sudbury) know we are not paying the $30,000 as requested, but we are looking at alternative arraignments moving forward," Durand told Sudbury Patch on Friday. "We are replanting in areas where trees were removed where previously there were screening plantings." The $30,000 would assist in watering and pruning trees and shrubs it intends to replant in the neighborhoods Pelham Island and Stock Farm roads. Durand said NSTAR is working with Weston Nurseries to finalize a plan that will including …

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AG Seeks to Fine NStar for Failed Irene, 'Snotober' Responses

Some Wayland customers were without power for a week or more following these weather events in 2011. Does a potential $9.7 million fine for Nstar ease the pain?

Attorney General Martha Coakley's Office is seeking a $9.7 million fine after an investigation revealed NStar "failed to adequately prepare, respond, and communicate during Tropical Storm Irene and the October 2011 snowstorm." The recommended fine breaks down to slightly more than $4 million for Nstar’s response to the October 2011 snowstorm and $5.7 million for Tropical Storm Irene, according to a press release. The AGO filed a brief Aug. 7, with the state's Department of Public Utilities, which has the authority to levy the fine. According to the AGO investigation, Nstar fell short of its state-required Emergency Response Plan obligations. In particular, Nstar failed “Nstar’s preparation for these storms was woefully inadequate and much …

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POLL: Which Story Line is Most Concerning for Sudbury Residents?

Sudbury has been the center of many shocking stories of late. Which one has affected you the most?

It's been a perfect storm of stories of late for residents of Sudbury: With all that has gone on the past two months, we want to know which story line has you most concerned for Sudbury. Take our poll and tell us why a certain story has caught your attention the most.

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State Rep. Conroy Urging Residents to Write to NSTAR

Conroy has been vocal about the clearing of NSTAR's right-of-way through Sudbury and nearby towns.

NSTAR has continued its march through the right-of-way under high-voltage lines in Wayland's Oak Hill Road and Meadowview Road neighborhoods, but Rep. Tom Conroy (D-Wayland) wants to make sure residents continue to speak up. Even as large swaths of land have been cleared to the ground, Conroy has been working with residents who are pushing NSTAR to provide mitigation in the form of new plantings and fully cleaning up the cut down debris left behind. Earlier this week Conroy told Sudbury Patch he's keeping a close eye on NSTAR and suggested residents put in writing their expections for mitigation to the utility company, so to create a paper trail. Conroy provided a sample letter written by an affected homeowner in Framingham. That sample is…

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VIDEO: NSTAR Wipes Out 22 Trees on Shadow Oak Drive Property (Updated)

Homeowners Ellen Sard and Richard Salus say they were not notified of today's cutting plans. NSTAR representative Michael Durand says residents were told of the work to be done at the last Selectmen's meeting.

EDITOR'S NOTE: Some video provided by Ellen Sard.

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Sudbury Residents Grill NSTAR Reps Over Tree Cutting

Selectmen also receive updates on Route 20 Corridor Study.

Dozens of Sudbury residents upset about a power company's plan to remove trees and brush from South Sudbury against their wishes packed into Tuesday night's Board of Selectmen meeting at Town Hall.  Residents complained that NSTAR left them notices on their doors announcing the intention to begin the work, without proper approvals from them or town officials.  The notices did not indicate just how aggressive the work would be, they complained. Chris Lutz said NSTAR ripped up his kids' playground, their sandbox and a flower garden that included newly-planted roses that could not have possibly been interfering with power. He said NSTAR's work, which he said occured on June 4, shortly before the company agreed to a moratorium, significantly …

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