West Hartford Updated Message on Power, Trees and Care

POWER RESTORATION

As of Friday morning, 7,101 CL&P customers have power restored (25 percent); 20,984 still do not have power. CL&P has 16 crews clearing downed wires, trees and tangled branches. CL&P is estimating that 99 percent of power lines at the street will be energized by midnight on Sunday; that does not mean 99 percent of homes will have power restored. CL&P is concentrating on the main arterial streets, considered the "backbone" of their power supply. The Department of Public Works has cleared all 39 streets that are totally blocked by trees.

CLEARING BRUSH

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.

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 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturdays 8: a.m. to 4 p.m., closed on Sunday.

Job Opportunity: SAIC, a company that will monitor our FEMA-storm relief project, is hiring 10-12 temporary workers to serve as Field Monitors. Field Monitors will work 12-14 hours a day, 7 days a week. Call 866-960-2325 ext. 2 for more information.

SHOWERS & SHELTER

, 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.

If you need to take refuge for the night, you may go to our emergency shelter at , 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. 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. Shelter volunteers are needed from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m.

RECREATION

and the on Buena Vista Road are open. As for the town parks, it is strongly recommend that children be supervised and that they stay away from all trees. Sports leagues games are canceled.

WARMING CENTERS

There are several warming centers open where you can go to warm up and charge a phone. They are the and at 15 Starkel Road, the at 20 South Main Street, at 1106 New Britain Avenue, at 12 South Main Street, and at 110 Beechwood Road.

TRASH & BULKY/METAL COLLECTION

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. Additional dumpsters are there for residential trash. Proof of residency will be checked.

HALLOWEEN CANCELED

Town roads and sidewalks are still not safe enough for trick or treating. Sorry!

SCHOOL UPDATE

Clean up efforts are underway at all schools. As of 2 p.m. Friday, six schools have power: Charter Oak School, Smith School, Sedgwick Middle School, Conard High School, Hall High School, and Norfeldt Elementary School. An announcement on school openings will be forthcoming later Friday.

FOOD SAFETY

If in doubt, throw it out! The Health District will answer questions with regard to food safety. Call 860-561-7900.

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 operation. 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.

TODAY’S WEATHER:

Strong winds, 35-40 miles per hour. Stay clear of trees with dangling limbs.