Community Corner
STORM CENTER in Acton: Noon Opening for Town Offices, Library; No School in Acton
Your one-stop shop for the latest in storm-related news.
UPDATED 9:30 A.M. --
Town Offices To Open at Noon
From the town website: Due to current weather conditions, Town Offices, including the Library and the Transfer Station, will open at noon today, January 3rd. Emergency Services will continue to operate as usual.
UPDATED 6:30 P.M. --
Snow Day! No School in Acton on Friday, Jan. 3
From the Acton schools' website: Due to poor weather conditions, Dr. Mills has cancelled school for tomorrow, Jan. 3.
UPDATED 5:55 P.M. --
Town Tips for Storm Prep and Safety
With the winter storm upon us and its worst winter weather still ahead, officials in Acton are "monitoring the storm and will deploy resources as needed," according to an alert posted to town website late Thursday afternoon.
That post, which you can see here, includes reminders about parking and shoveling, safety tips and reporting things like downed limbs and power outages.
Blizzard Warning for Parts of Massachusetts
The National Weather Service has extended its blizzard warning to most of coastal New England, including the north and south shores of Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Maine.
UPDATED 3:55 P.M. --
Town Offices Closing Early, Opening Late
The following notice was posted to Acton's town website Thursday afternoon: Given the predicted weather forecast, Town Hall and other Municipal Buildings will close at 4 p.m. today, January 2nd, and will operate under a two-hour delay tomorrow. Emergency Services will continue to operate as usual.
UPDATED 3:05 P.M. --
A Few Accidents Early Thursday
Despite the falling snow and slickening roads, it's been a relatively quiet day for police in Acton, Deputy Chief Rich Burrows said in an email Thursday afternoon.
According to Burrows, there were two accidents in the 8 a.m. hour this morning, and one accident in each of the 9 a.m. and 10 a.m. hours, but it's been "pretty quiet" since then.
Trial Court Closures, Delays
The following announcement came from the Executive Office of the Trial Court: In consideration of public and staff safety in light of the current coastal storm, the Massachusetts Trial Court will close courthouses statewide today at 3 p.m. on January 2nd, and will delay opening on Friday, January 3rd in all counties until noon. An assessment for Friday afternoon operations will be made in the morning. No first-day jurors are scheduled to report on Friday.
UPDATED 2:15 P.M. --
Meeting Canceled
The South Acton Train Station Historical Panel Subcommittee's meeting, originally scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Thursday night, has been cancelled, according to the town website.
Deep Freeze
The National Weather Service (NWS) is issuing Wind Chill Advisories throughout the Commonwealth for the remainder of the week, and meteorologists throughout the region are warning about dangerous, bitingly cold temperatures in the days ahead.
With that in mind, the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency shared the following Emergency Tips for Handling Extreme Cold.
Gov. Patrick: Early Release for State Employees
Governor Deval Patrick has ordered state employees home by 3 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 2, and encouraged private employers to release the workforce early, as well. Highways and the MBTA will remain open through the storm, Patrick said.
ORIGINAL POST, with updates and links added
We didn't have to wait long for the first storm of 2014. It began a little after midnight Thursday, Jan. 2, and the estimates say Acton could be covered by about a foot of snow before the flakes stop falling on Friday.
Here you'll find information and updates about this week's significant winter storm. We will be updating this storm center hub throughout the storm with the latest stories and storm-related news, so be sure to check back.
Current Forecasts
Town Offices To Open at Noon
From the town website: Due to current weather conditions, Town Offices, including the Library and the Transfer Station, will open at noon today, January 3rd. Emergency Services will continue to operate as usual.
UPDATED 6:30 P.M. --
Snow Day! No School in Acton on Friday, Jan. 3
From the Acton schools' website: Due to poor weather conditions, Dr. Mills has cancelled school for tomorrow, Jan. 3.
UPDATED 5:55 P.M. --
Town Tips for Storm Prep and Safety
With the winter storm upon us and its worst winter weather still ahead, officials in Acton are "monitoring the storm and will deploy resources as needed," according to an alert posted to town website late Thursday afternoon.
That post, which you can see here, includes reminders about parking and shoveling, safety tips and reporting things like downed limbs and power outages.
Blizzard Warning for Parts of Massachusetts
The National Weather Service has extended its blizzard warning to most of coastal New England, including the north and south shores of Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Maine.
UPDATED 3:55 P.M. --
Town Offices Closing Early, Opening Late
The following notice was posted to Acton's town website Thursday afternoon: Given the predicted weather forecast, Town Hall and other Municipal Buildings will close at 4 p.m. today, January 2nd, and will operate under a two-hour delay tomorrow. Emergency Services will continue to operate as usual.
UPDATED 3:05 P.M. --
A Few Accidents Early Thursday
Despite the falling snow and slickening roads, it's been a relatively quiet day for police in Acton, Deputy Chief Rich Burrows said in an email Thursday afternoon.
According to Burrows, there were two accidents in the 8 a.m. hour this morning, and one accident in each of the 9 a.m. and 10 a.m. hours, but it's been "pretty quiet" since then.
Trial Court Closures, Delays
The following announcement came from the Executive Office of the Trial Court: In consideration of public and staff safety in light of the current coastal storm, the Massachusetts Trial Court will close courthouses statewide today at 3 p.m. on January 2nd, and will delay opening on Friday, January 3rd in all counties until noon. An assessment for Friday afternoon operations will be made in the morning. No first-day jurors are scheduled to report on Friday.
UPDATED 2:15 P.M. --
Meeting Canceled
The South Acton Train Station Historical Panel Subcommittee's meeting, originally scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Thursday night, has been cancelled, according to the town website.
Deep Freeze
The National Weather Service (NWS) is issuing Wind Chill Advisories throughout the Commonwealth for the remainder of the week, and meteorologists throughout the region are warning about dangerous, bitingly cold temperatures in the days ahead.
With that in mind, the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency shared the following Emergency Tips for Handling Extreme Cold.
Gov. Patrick: Early Release for State Employees
Governor Deval Patrick has ordered state employees home by 3 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 2, and encouraged private employers to release the workforce early, as well. Highways and the MBTA will remain open through the storm, Patrick said.
ORIGINAL POST, with updates and links added
We didn't have to wait long for the first storm of 2014. It began a little after midnight Thursday, Jan. 2, and the estimates say Acton could be covered by about a foot of snow before the flakes stop falling on Friday.
Here you'll find information and updates about this week's significant winter storm. We will be updating this storm center hub throughout the storm with the latest stories and storm-related news, so be sure to check back.
Current Forecasts
How much snow is Acton expected to get Thursday and Friday? Here are the projections as of Thursday at 5 a.m.
- National Weather Service: 10-14 inches
- Channel 4, WBZ: 10-14+ inches
- Channel 5, WCVB: 9-15 inches
- Channel 7, WHDH: 8-12 inches
- Channel 25, FOX: 10-14 inches
In case you missed it, Acton's public schools will release students early on Thursday, but there's no word yet on the plans for Friday.
We'll post a story and update this hub page when more information about school on Friday is available.
Deep Freeze
The National Weather Service (NWS) is issuing Wind Chill Advisories throughout the Commonwealth for the remainder of the week, and meteorologists throughout the region are warning about dangerous, bitingly cold temperatures in the days ahead.
With that in mind, the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency shared the following Emergency Tips for Handling Extreme Cold.
Snow Photos!
Rather than grumble about the white stuff piling up outside, grab one of those new digital devices you received this holiday season, start snapping photos and share 'em on Patch. This is the first snow of 2014, after all. Here's how.
Acton Emergency Contacts
- In case of an emergency, dial 911
- Acton Police Department - 978-264-9638
- Acton Fire Department - 978-264-9645
- National Grid power outages: 800-465-1212
- National Grid gas emergencies: 800-233-5325
- NStar: Report a power outage website
- Comcast: 1-800-COMCAST (1-800-266-2278)
- Verizon: 1-800-VERIZON (1-800-837-4966)
- RCN: 1-866-TECH-RCN (1-866-832-4726)
- MBTA/Commuter Rail: service updates
Storm Prompts Early Release in Acton
Acton Winter Parking Ban
Winter Storm Warning in Effect for Acton
Emergency Tips for Handling Extreme Cold
Governor: State Offices Close at 3 p.m., Highways Remain Open
Share Your Snow Photos on Patch!
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