West Hartford Updated Message on Power, Trees and Care

POWER RESTORATION

As of this morning, 3000 out of 25,961 CL&P customers have power, representing 11 percent of West Hartford homes. CL&P has increased the number of crews from 17 to 24 that are clearing downed wires, trees and tangled branches. CL&P is estimating that 99 percent of West Hartford households will have power restored by midnight on Sunday. CL&P is concentrating on the main arterial streets, considered the "backbone" of their power supply. They are Farmington Avenue, North Main Street, Newington Road, Albany Avenue, Mountain Road. From these main lines, power will be supplied to connecting side streets. There are 35 streets that now have power. Four schools have power: Charter Oak School, Smith School, Sedgwick Middle School and Conard High School.

The Department of Public Works reports that there are 39 streets that are totally blocked due to power lines down or trees in the roadway and 200 streets that have some blockage but are passable. DPW will be attacking 18 of the 39 streets today.

CL&P is asking that you check the condition of your junction box attached to the outside of your home. If it has pulled away, you will need to call an electrician to reconnect the box.  By doing this now, CL&P will be able to expedite the restoration of power to your home when your service line is repaired.

CLEARING BRUSH

Beginning today, Ashbritt, a storm debris removal company, will be assisting the Town with clean up on town streets and properties including schools. There may be as many as 40 to 60 large and small trucks in one neighborhood. Please stay clear of these trucks for your own safety. Crews will be working from dawn to dusk cutting, lifting and chipping wood.

Job Opportunity: SAIC, a company that will monitor our FEMA-storm relief project, is hiring 10-12 temporary workers to serve as Monitors. Monitors will work 12-14 hours days, 7 days a week. For more information on the rate of pay and duties, call 866-960-2325 ext 2.

The Department of Public Works will be coordinating a town-wide curbside collection of brush.  They ask that you stack brush neatly at the edge of your lawn, just before the sidewalk. Big equipment will be removing the brush from your lawn and chipping it. All brush should be cut to lengths no longer than 20 feet with the butt end out. Please understand that your brush may be at the curb for several weeks or more before it is collected.

The Department of Public Works has set up three brush drop off locations for residents:  Eisenhower Park, Fernridge Park and Spice Bush Swamp.  Also, brush may be brought to EnviroCycle, the Town’s Recycling Center at 25 Brixton Street.  They are open Monday through Friday 7:30 AM to 6:00 PM, and on Saturdays 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM.

WARMING CENTERS

There are several warming centers open where you can go to warm up and charge a phone. They are the Bishops Corner Library and Bishops Corner Senior Center at 15 Starkel Road, the Noah Webster Library at 20 South Main Street, Elmwood Community Center at 1106 New Britain Avenue, the Town Hall Auditorium at 50 South Main Street, First Church of Christ at 12 South Main Street, and.Conard High School at 110 Beechwood Road (WiFi available).

SHOWERS

New York Sports Club, located at 65 Memorial Road, has opened its doors to anyone who would like to shower.  Just bring a towel. You may also take a shower at Conard High School.  If you have a gas-powered water heater, chances are you have hot water. 

SHELTERS

If you need to take refuge for the night, you may go to our emergency shelter at Conard High School, 110 Beechwood Road.  At the high school, you will be able to power your computers and phones, take a shower, sleep and even read in the library.  Please bring a sleeping bag or bedding, a change of clothes, medicine, and a towel and toiletries. Shelter volunteers are needed from 10 PM to 5AM.

The town's shelter at Conard High School is in desperate need of health care professionals who can volunteer some time to residents who have various health conditions. If you have time to give, report directly to Conard High School, 110 Beechwood Road.

HEALTH DISTRICT ADVIORY

The Health District has reported that Connecticut’s air quality is ‘unhealthy for sensitive groups’ who have respiratory ailments due to the large amount of smoke and ash emitted into the air from fireplaces. If you suffer from, stay indoors. In addition, call 561-7900 with questions regarding food safety.

HEATING & LIGHTING SAFETY

The West Hartford Fire Department is responding to numerous incidents because residents are not following safety precautions with alternative heat, light and power sources.  Residents are asked to review the instruction sheets that come with the equipment for safe operational guidelines which include the following:

1.  If using a gasoline or propane fueled generator, NEVER operate the equipment inside the home or garage.  Set up the device a safe distance from the house so the carbon monoxide will not enter the building.

2.  The same goes for gas and charcoal grills.

3.  Do not operate devices such as space heaters and candles while sleeping or when not in the home. These devices are not made to operate for extended periods of time.

GENERATORS

Please be aware that improperly installed power generators can cause serious injuries to public safety crews as they start to restore power. PLEASE make certain your generator has been installed according to the manufacturer's instructions.

BULKY & METAL COLLECTION SUSPENDED

Bulky and metal collections have been suspended until further notice. Permits will be honored at a later time. There will be no sales of permits at this time. Paine's Refuse & Recycling remains without of power and has no telephone service. You will not be able to reach them to schedule a pick up.

TRASH

If you have missed your trash collection or want to get rid of spoiled food, you may bring your trash bags to the Transfer Station at 17 Brixton Street. The Department of Public Works has provided additional dumpsters to accept residential trash. Proof of residency will be checked. Trash collection is delayed one day this week. Please place your barrels together and away from wires.

NO SCHOOL

West Hartford Public Schools is closed for the rest of the week. Clean up efforts are underway at all schools. At this time, West Hartford Public Schools is hoping to have school on Monday. Schools will also be open on Election Day, Tuesday, November 8.  Typically schools are closed on this day.