School, Trick-or-Treating Whited Out After October Storm

The October storm stopped long ago, but its impact could last for another day or more here in Lexington.

School has been cancelled for Monday, Oct. 31 and the Lexington Police Department is strongly encouraging parents to keep their kids home for Halloween after an unusually early snowstorm knocked down trees, wires and traffic signals around town.

As of 4 p.m. Sunday afternoon, six of the towns schools, plus the district administration building were still without power, according to selectmen Chairman Hank Manz, who attended emergency planning meetings earlier today.

Late Sunday, the Lexington Retailers Association made the call to postpone its annual Trick-or-Treat with Lexington Businesses event after the Board of Selectmen declared a State of Emergency and many participating businesses realized they'd be closed on Monday.

By midafternoon sunday 71 percent of customers in Lexington were without power, many roads remained blocked, traffic signals were out and wires down around town. The widespread power outages led to the Board of Selectmen's declaration of a State of Emergency for the town.

A comfort station opened at 5 p.m. Sunday night at and further evaluation was expected to take place about 7 p.m. tonight to determine if an all-night shelter will be needed.

According to Manz, cancelling school tomorrow would free up crossing guards and detail officers to cover intersections where signals aren’t working. 

A private tree contractor has been brought on to assist the with its cleanup, Manz said.