Power restored to most of Lexington as storm clean-up continues
As Lexington continues to recover from the aftermath of an October nor’easter, Town Manager Carl Valente said on Thursday, Nov. 3, he was relieved by the return to milder weather.
“I’m glad it’s over,” Valente said.
The Lexington Police Department reported approximately 60 percent of residents without power on Sunday, Oct. 30, following a 4-inch snowfall on Saturday night, Oct. 29. NSTAR , which serves approximately 13,000 customers in the area, reported 35 percent of those customers were without power on Monday, Oct. 31, and 31.5 percent on Tuesday, Nov. 1. NSTAR assured customers they would have power restored by Wednesday, Nov. 2, but as of 8 a.m. Thursday morning, Nov. 3, 32 residents or 0.2 percent are still in the dark.
“[The reactions of residents] runs a full range, from those who are very appreciative of the work and outreach that the town did to the extreme of residents who are very frustrated by the amount of time it took to get their power back,” Valente said, adding many residents said they had difficulty getting a hold of NSTAR for more information.
NATIVE PLANTS: The value of oak trees to our ecosystem
We have about a dozen oak trees in our yard. They keep our house cooler in summer and the tall sturdy trees are attractive in every season. We enjoy watching the squirrels and blue jays that eat the many acorns. Recently I learned oak trees play a large role in our ecosystem.
According to Dr. Doug Tallamy, author of ‘‘Bringing Nature Home,’’ “the value of oaks for supporting both vertebrate and invertebrate wildlife cannot be overstated.”
Tallamy writes that oaks provide nut forage for deer, raccoons, turkey, squirrels and wood ducks. Many species of birds use oak trees for nesting and shelter. Tallamy’s research reveals that oak trees are the host plant for more than 500 species of moths and butterflies or Lepidoptera. Caterpillars from these species are then food for birds, providing essential protein for fledgling birds.
The Pineywoods of East Texas is the southwest corner of the pine and hardwood forest of the southern United States. There are equal parts of hardwoods (mostly oak and hickory) and shortleaf and loblolly pine.