NStar Knowingly Cut Power to Holliston Schools After Storm

In the aftermath of a devastating winter storm, NStar knowingly shut off power to eastern parts of Holliston Monday morning, which left Elementary and Middle schools without electricity hours before students arrived, according to Town Administrator Paul LeBeau.

“A warning would have been nice, especially with the schools involved,” LeBeau said.

The move was to ensure the safety of workers in nearby Sherborn, where NStar employees were working to restore power to hundreds of homes, LeBeau said.  

After seeing powered schools Sunday night, administrators decided to have classes the following day. Superintendent Bradford Jackson said he did an “extensive assessment of the schools Sunday night.” 

“When someone physically takes a switch and moves it from an ‘on’ position to an ‘off’ position, you would think someone would think of the impact,” Jackson said. “If I had known, I would have cancelled school.”  

Gasoline generators provided heat and light to students on Monday, resulting in a “normal day” for students, Jackson said in an email.

NStar spokesman Michael Durand said when power is purposely cut, it is to ensure the safety of employees. The company was working to "get power back as soon as possible,” he said.  

"I don't suggest I know how to do their job, but I do know something about communication...I can assure you NStar's communication did not meet my standards, Jackson said.