Updated: Acton schools, town offices closed Monday as major storm approaches

Acton schools will be out Monday as the town braces for an approaching storm that could pummel the town with blizzard conditions and a foot or more of snow.

Schools Superintendent Laurie Hunter confirmed to The Acton Bridge early Sunday afternoon that all school buildings will remain closed, including K-8, Acton-Carlisle High School, and Ripley. Minuteman High School is also closing.

Town Communication Manager Donna McIntosh said town offices would be closed to the public, with municipal employees working from home if possible.

The libraries, Council on Aging, and Beede Center will also be closed.

First responders and Acton Public Works and Municipal Light Plant staff “will be working through the storm to keep the community safe and services operating,” she told The Bridge.

The town urged residents to stay off the roads so plows can get through.

The National Weather Service said a blizzard warning is in effect from 4 p.m. Sunday to 7 a.m. Tuesday, with snow accumulation of between 12 and 22 inches and winds gusting up to 55 miles per hour, potentially bringing down trees.

Travel could be “very difficult to impossible,” the NWS warned, and should be limited to emergencies only. 

For general and water/sewer emergencies, call 911 or Acton Police at (978) 318-3400.

For non-emergency storm-related issues, call the town’s snow desk: (978) 318-3220.

CMLP Director Jason Bulger told The Bridge on Sunday afternoon that the utility “has prepared staffing levels” to meet the storm. Staff including line crew and engineering employees,will be staged at the Light Plant Sunday evening, he said.

Bulger urged residents to call 911 for downed wires, fires, or sparking equipment, and dial the light plant’s after-hours line at (844) 723-1287 to report an outage. Stay at least 30 feet from any downed wire.

He also reminded residents never to run generators inside homes or garages because of the dangers of carbon monoxide. Connect portable generators via an approved transfer switch and never plug them directly into a wall outlet.

Also, keep external exhaust vents clear of snow blockage and make sure your carbon monoxide detectors are functioning, Bulger said.

Storm-related disruptions were beginning to pile up on Sunday, well before the forecasted blizzard hit. Among them:

• Monday night’s Select Board meeting has been rescheduled to Wednesday at 5 p.m. at the Town House.
• Trial courts throughout Massachusetts, including Acton District Court, will suspend operations as well.
• As of Sunday afternoon, The Umbrella Arts Center had also announced it would be closed Monday thanks to the storm.

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