A high school in Massachusetts had been unable to turn off the light of the 7,000 light bulbs that illuminate it for a year and a half following the installation of a new computer system. The expected repairs are due to take place in February.
Forced to have the lights on night and day for a year and a half because of an insoluble computer problem, a high school in the United States should finally be able to turn the switch next month, according to American media.
The final works “are rescheduled for February,” Aaron Osborne, a Minnechaug Regional High School official, said Monday in an interview with NBC.
Since the lighting system of this high school, located in Wilbraham in the State of Massachusetts, broke down in August 2021, the light has remained on by default in this establishment operating with 7,000 bulbs and which welcomes some 1,200 students.
A ludicrous situation which was accompanied by strong criticism linked to the electricity bill which logically exploded.
$1.2 million quote
The problem was long-lasting because of the school’s difficulty in contacting the original installer of the system and scheduling an appointment with them to complete repairs.
“After many weeks of effort, we received an estimate of approximately $1.2 million to replace the entire system” but the offer was not accepted given the magnitude of the potential site, the establishment said in a letter sent to local authorities in August 2022 and updated in January.
In the meantime, no permanent solution has been found to turn off the power to the lamps without turning off other essential systems, according to this letter.
Wilbraham town officials had complained in August 2022 about the cost of all this lighting and the burden it placed on the ratepayer.
“The net impact is in the thousands of dollars per month on average, but not in the tens of thousands,” defended Aaron Osborne on Monday.
The new equipment has been installed and should be commissioned at the end of next month.
