Published in the February 14, 2017 edition.
WAKEFIELD — Yesterday’s heavy, wet snow and strong winds took a toll on the town’s utility infrastructure as at least 14 calls came in to police yesterday of low hanging or downed wires. The weather conditions, which also damaged trees and branches, kept DPW, Police, Fire and Light Department and crews on the move all day long.
At about 7:45 a.m. a caller reported a tree and wires down and blocking Central Street.
That call was followed yesterday by reports of trees and/or wires down on Winnisimette Drive, Forest Road, Converse Street, Water Street, Juniper Avenue, Rockland Street, Morel Circle, Daniel Road, Lake Street, Broadway, Elm Street, Lawrence Street, Albion and Cedar streets, Nablus Road, Main and Hanson streets, Audubon Road, Parker Road, Pierce and Juniper avenues.
The last call for downed wires came in just after 7 p.m.
At 9 a.m. yesterday, the Fire Department was called to Friend Street after a large tree limb fell on a car. Firefighters were able to use a rope to remove the branch.
The tree that fell on Morel Circle not only pulled wires down, it also took down a street light and knocked out the traffic signal at Main Street and Pitman Avenue.
The Fire Department responded to a total of 23 calls yesterday, including 10 for medical aid.
At 2:20 p.m. yesterday, firefighters responded to an accidental fire alarm at an Albion Street address caused by workers cutting drywall and causing a dust condition.
Firefighters assisted a homeowner on Rockland Street to set up a pump at about 4 p.m. after a water main break caused water in the basement of the home.
At about 5 p.m., firefighters went to a Sweetser Street residence on a reported odor of gas. The issue was determined to be related to a faulty dryer vent.
