Sandy@Madison, Wednesday, Oct. 31, 2012: No School. Yes Halloween. More Businesses Open. Gov Comes For A Visit.

On Wednesday, Madison continued the process of recovering from Sandy. Many more businesses were opened, Gov. Dannel Malloy toured Circle Beach, school was cancelled for Thursday and Friday, and the town held a big Trunk or Treat Halloween bash for the whole town in the downtown.

The town and its residents have many issues to deal with in the wake of Sandy. And a quick tour of some of the town's major shoreline assets, including East Wharf, West Wharf, and the Surf Club show that damage was no where near as bad as it was during Irene. Our new seawall at the Surf Club appears to have held up. The Surf Club building took a bit of a beating and lost some singles, but it's still standing. Our playground is still there. The stands at Strong Field are still there.

The top of the partially finished roadway on Middle Beach washed away, but it was being repaired quickly by contractors hired by the town and the road structure itself, along with the railing, appears to be intact. Circle Beach homes took a beating but most, including those that were recently rebuilt after Irene, sustained damage far less than Irene. Several homeowners remarked that measures taken during the rebuilding, including raising the homes up and installing breakaway walls and doors on the lowest levels, may have saved their homes from being toppled.               

Madison police confirmed Wednesday that there were no deaths, no major injuries, and no major incidents during the height of the storm. We were lucky. The U.S. death toll now stands at 74 and the losses are projected to be as much as $55 billion, USAToday reports.

How nice that, for some of us, the biggest issues in town Wednesday morning included how to get the trees moved off our lawns, when power would be restored, and whether our kids would be able to go trick or treating.

Update at 10:15pm

CL&P is reporting that of 9,056 customers, 6,248 were without power, or 68 percent.  

Statewide the numbers are as follows:

Total CL&P Customers Served:
1,240,246

Total CL&P Customers Reported Affected:
263,317

% of CL&P Customers Reported Affected:
21%

This information is from CL&P:

A massive around-the-clock restoration effort is under way at Connecticut Light & Power (CL&P), with 5,000 workers responding to damage from Hurricane Sandy.  

“We’ve made significant progress working closely with the state and municipalities to clear blocked roads and remove electrical hazards,” said Bill Quinlan, CL&P Senior Vice President of Emergency Preparedness.  “Today, we’re focused on completing damage assessment, using patrollers on the ground and in helicopters, so that we can provide a system-wide restoration projection tomorrow.”

While groups of employees work to complete damage assessment, line workers continue responding to emergencies and restoring power to town-identified critical customers, such as water treatment plants, police and fire stations and shelter locations.  

CL&P’s restoration process begins with substations and critical customers, and then the company makes repairs based on restoring power to the greatest number of customers in the shortest possible time.  So far, over 350,000 customers have been restored.  

A video overview of how CL&P restores power, and more information about the process, is available at www.cl-p.com/StormCenter/Restoration_Process.

SAFETY FIRST
CL&P urges the public to be on the watch for storm debris and downed lines, especially lines that may be unseen and obscured by fallen limbs, while trick-or-treating.  Customers should never touch a downed wire, and assume any downed line is live and dangerous.

Also, any customer using a generator should make sure it has been installed properly for their own safety, and the safety of line workers working to restore power.  For important generator safety tips, check out CL&P’s “Using a Generator Safely” video on YouTube at http://youtu.be/IMD1pZc3EHM.  

OUTAGE REPORTING
To report a power outage, call CL&P at 800-286-2000 or use the “Report an Outage” link at www.cl-p.com.  For tips and updates from CL&P, follow us on Twitter @CTLightandPower and like us on Facebook at facebook.com/ctlightandpower.

From Gov. Dannel Malloy on Metro-North :

Governor Malloy Announces No Fares for Connecticut Metro-North Commuters this Thursday and Friday

Rail Service between Stamford and New York’s Grand Central Terminal To Resume Thursday Morning

Shore Line East Service will also Resume Thursday

Governor Dannel P. Malloy announced today that commuter rail service between Stamford and New York’s Grand Central Terminal will resume Thursday morning, following just three days of suspended service as a result of the damage and havoc caused by Hurricane Sandy. The Governor has also waived all rail fares for Thursday and Friday's Metro-North rail service making rides into Grand Central free for the next two days.

The Governor cautioned commuters, however, that this limited service represents roughly half of normal weekday service and to plan accordingly and to work from home if at all possible. This limited service applies only to trains that originate in Stamford; not, for example, a train that normally originates in New Haven and stops in Stamford, and then proceeds to Grand Central.

“Returning to normal service between Stamford and New York so quickly is a testament to the incredible, around-the-clock work by hundreds of dedicated Metro-North workers and I want to personally thank them,” said Governor Malloy. “At the same time, I want to thank our commuters, who rely on this service on a daily basis, for their patience and understanding. In the wake of the devastation by this storm, this is a significant accomplishment."

Connecticut Department of Transportation Commissioner James P. Redeker applauded Governor Malloy's move to waive rail fares for the next two days: "Eliminating the charge for commuters is the right thing to do for the limited service that is available and for those commuters that have been inconvenienced by the lack of available rail service into New York.  At the same time, we'd rather make this limited service more attractive for the next two days to help alleviate or minimize motor vehicle traffic entering the city." New York has also initiated a similar waiver of rail fares for Metro-North customers bound for the Stamford Transportation Center.

The Stamford-New York service represents some 52 percent of the daily New Haven Line Service. Metro-North and the Connecticut Department of Transportation are also evaluating some interim express bus options for the east end of the line and the return the entire system – from New Haven to Grand Central – to full service as quickly as possible.

Shore Line East commuter rail service, between New Haven and New London, will also resume Thursday morning. In addition, Amtrak will begin operating some limited service between New Haven and Springfield, and between Boston and Washington DC.

From Guilford Savings Bank:

We know that the past few days have been tough for many people in our community, and for some,  more challenges are still ahead.  We sincerely hope that you and your loved ones are safe and sound. We have been working hard to ensure our systems are fully operational.  At this point, almost all of our offices are open to serve you at full capacity; only our Downtown Madison Office is limited to drive-up service only due to the power outage.

In addition, we are offering an assistance program to help affected customers obtain funds and credit rapidly to cover costs associated with the storm. We understand that for some of you, money that you have in a Certificate of Deposit (CD) may be needed to help your cleanup or repair efforts. From now until November 30, 2012, we will waive early withdrawal fees on your existing GSB CD.  Simply come into a branch, and you may withdraw the funds immediately without any fees or penalties.  Please contact a Customer Service Representative for more details.

In addition, any customer in need of a line of credit can contact GSB to begin the application process immediately.  We are committed to providing you with prompt service and are here to help in any way we can. Our Guilford Main, Guilford Plaza, Branford, North Madison and Old Saybrook Offices have free charging stations for your electronic devices. In addition, we're offering free hot coffee and cookies at these locations. Please stop by from 9:00am - 4:00pm to utilize our services.

Customer Care:
Phone: (203) 453-2721
E-Mail:  CustomerService@GSByourbank.com

Lending:
Phone: (203) 453-3290
E-Mail:  Loans@GSByourbank.com

 

Update at 11:23am

We are hearing that the entire plaza in North Madison is open, all stores.

From Madison First Selectman Fillmore McPherson:

Hello. This is your First Selectman, Fillmore McPherson, with the latest Hurricane Sandy update for this Halloween, Wednesday, October 31st.
First, Supt. Tom Scarice has announced that schools will remain closed for the rest of the week and will reopen Monday, November 5th.

Regarding Halloween, any neighborhood that the parents think is safe, can observe Trick or Treat from 4 to 6 pm tonight. By safe, I mean no dangerous trees or downed wires. We are also organizing a Trunk or Treat celebration downtown from 4 to 6. The police will block off the main downtown block. People with treats can come park downtown and distribute the goodies from their car trunks. The princesses, zombies, and their friends can then walk from trunk to trunk collecting their treats. Again, the time is 4 to 6 tonight.
To more serious matters, CL&P is still focusing on restoring the main trunk lines so that the neighborhoods can be brought back on line, and on clearing any hazard areas. We are keeping a close eye on their progress.
It is very important, when you approach a traffic light that is not working, that you treat it as a stop sign where you stop and look before proceeding. Don’t just zoom through.

Even though the roads are now open, please don’t come down to the waterfront to sightsee. Part of Middle Beach Road is closed due to construction work.
Drinking water is available at the both fire houses, the town campus, and at Tidewater Inn on the Boston Post Road.

Roberts Food Center is fully open and Stop and Shop is open except for frozen and refrigerated goods.

Gasoline is available at the Sunoco station downtown.

The Town Bulky Waste Site at the end of Ridge Road will be open every day 7:30am to 5:30 pm, including this weekend, to accept debris.

The Town Hall is open for you to charge your electronic devices every day from 8:30am to 4pm.

The Town Gym here at Town Campus is open for showers from 7:30am to 8pm. Bring your own soap and towel.

The Food Pantry which normally opens on Wednesday is closed.

That’s it for now. Please stay safe. Goodbye.

Please don't go to Hammo:

Liz Neighbors reports: "I just spoke to the Sargent Lustin at Hammonasset State Park. All entries to Hammonasset will be closed until further notice while crews are working to clear up debris from storm. No walkers, bikes, cars etc. as it is a risk to safety."

Scroll down in this story for list of state parks that are open.

Madison is still at 86 percent without power as of 11:28 am.

Thank you Liz for reporting in! If anyone else hears anything we should be reporting, let us know.

Update at 10:59am

Halloween is on, but in a limited, specific way. From Madison Emergency Management Director John Bowers:

"Halloween is going to be tonight. For people in the north end of town who feel it's safe enough to go out in their neighborhood, that is fine. There also will be a Trunk or Treat in the downtown area. It will be on Route 1 [Boston Post Road] between Wall Street and Route 79. We will block traffic off and it's between 4 and 6 p.m."

Bowers also says the evacuation orders in south end of town lifted. The travel ban in south end of town lifted.

[From your Madison Patch Editor: If you want to go check on a friend, fine. But don't be going down to the shoreline and gawking. People down there are dealing with a lot and they don't need nosy people sightseeing during their time of distress. I saw a lot of that yesterday. Thank you for your consideration in this matter.]

He said CL&P is working to restore power. "They haven't told us anything definitively. They are not going to make promises they can't keep and good for them on that."

CL&P officials said during a press conference Wednesday morning that they will provide a "global restoration estimate" Thursday morning, with more specific estimates to follow as line workers make thorough assessment and provide that information to their supervisors.

Bowers said the town hosted two or three people needing shelter Tuesday night at the community center in the Madison Police Department, because they had some medical equipment that needed power. He said anyone who has medical equipment that needs power is welcome to come to the community room of Police Department at town campus off of Duck Hole Road, just north of the Hammonasset Connector.

Bowers said the town shelter does not appear to be needed right now, but that the town stands ready to reactivate it if temperatures drop and people do not want to or are not able to stay in their homes because of the cold.

Both the town hall and the police department are available to the community for charging of electrical equipment. The town campus is still open for showers.

State DEEP says Hammo State Park still closed, but other state parks open in Rocky Hill, Derby, New London and Voluntown today. Scoll down for complete list and press release.

Update at 10:17am

Madison Public School Superintendent Thomas Scarice says there will be no school for Madison Public Schools Thursday and Friday. A decision about school next week will be made Friday after the town is able to assess the power situation at the schools.

A decision on Halloween in Madison should be coming soon.

From Beth Crowley, head librarian at Scranton Memorial Library: "Library still closed today (Wednesday) all programs canceled. Hopefully back tomorrow at 9 a.m."

Strong House Adult Day Center closed Wednesday, also Temple Beth Tikvah religious education.

CL&P has Madison power outages at 86 percent, but we're getting reports trickling in on Facebook of some power restorations in North Madison. CL&P said it should have a "global restoration estimate" by tomorrow morning for its entire service area in state.

Good tip from Janet Connolly: "STATE TAX DEADLINES EXTENDED TO NOVEMBER 7th, COMMERCIAL TAX REGISTRATION WAIVED: For more information, please visit the DRS website:   http://www.ct.gov/drs/cwp/view.asp?a=1436&Q=513158

More reports on businesses open from our readers: Tuxis lumber was open yesterday and had batteries and generators. [MAKE SURE THESE ARE INSTALLED PROPERLY!!!]. Bradley & Wall on generator. In east end of town, Dunkin' Donuts, Mobil Station, Donahue's, Hammo Packy store.

Thank you to readers who are providing updates. Please keep us posted ...

State DEEP says Hammo State Park still closed, but other state parks open in Rocky Hill, Derby, New London and Voluntown today. Scoll down for complete list and press release.

Update at 9am:

CL&P says they intend to provide a "global restoration estimate" Thursday morning. They urged that in communities that are doing trick or treating Wednesday night, parents proceed very carefully because there are still a lot of lines down throughout the state.

Original story:

A decision about whether there will be school tomorrow will be made within the next two hours or so, [so, around 10 a.m.] says Madison School Superintendent Thomas Scarice. A notice will be sent out as soon as the decision is made.

Many people are asking about Halloween. We have heard that a decision--or at least a recommendation--about Halloween might be forthcoming Wednesday morning after town officials meet at 9 a.m. As soon as we hear anything we will report it. There will be a free, family-friendly Halloween celebration at Mystic Aquarium starting at 5 p.m. today. Scroll down for more information on that.

There are still trees down and line crews are working throughout town. Please be careful as you go about.

Very important: If you come to a traffic light that is out. STOP. Four way stop. Check to see what the other drivers are doing, then proceed slowly and carefully.

As you go about your business, remember that levels of frustration rise the longer people go without power. If you have power, reach out to your friends that might not. If you don't have power, remember we've been through this before and we'll get through it again.

Businesses that will be open later today:

Sunoco downtown. We're hearing Cumby's is. Stop & Shop downtown. Roberts in NoMad. Gas station in NoMad. Bishop's in Guilford. Nick's is on generator. Nuzzo's Pizza. Probably High Tide, the food truck at Academy School. Some farmstands have food available. RJ Julia will be open for at least a little bit this afternoon. A reader reports, "Portofino's in North Madison will be open 11-9 today, and they start delivering at 3."

From Cohen's Bagel's: "We're OPEN!!!! Hooray for hot coffee & warm bagels! We even have some outlets for cell phone chargers!!"

United Illuminating says New Haven has only 8.21 percent of customers out, so many businesses may be open there today, although, if you can call, you should call first to check if you are heading in for something specific.

Readers on Facebook are reporting Chips Pub in Clinton will be open, and Circle Pizza in North Madison.

What are you seeing and hearing? Let us know in the comments.

Charging stations are available at town hall and the Madison Police Department. Both are located at town campus, off of Duck Hole Road, just north of the Hammonasset Connector.

Important information about generators and alarms from Madison 911 Emergency Communications Center

If you are using a generator, please make sure your "main" circuit breaker is turned OFF so that power does not backfeed into the street.

If your home/business has an alarm system, please disable the alarm until power is restored.

Water

Free potable water is available downtown at Madison Hose Co. No. 1 and at town hall at town campus off of Duck Hole Road just north of the Hammonasset Connector. It is also available at the following locations. Plase bring your own container.

• North Madison Fire Department - Route 79 and 80 traffic circle
• North Guilford Fire Department - Route 77 north of Route 80
• Killingworth Circle (intersection of Route 80 and 81)
• Marlborough Elementary School, School Drive, Marlborough

Also they have hydrant fill stations available at:

• CT Water Co. Clinton Office, 93 West Main Street, Clinton
• South Guilford Fire Department, 390 Church Street
• Essex Fire Department, Saybrook Road, Essex
• Old Saybrook High School, Route 1 Old Saybrook
• Chester Meetinghouse, center of town by green
• RHAM (regional high school for Hebron, Andover, Marlborough) – 85 Wall Street, Hebron

A statement from the Mystic Aquarium:

"As trick-or-treating is being canceled around the region in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy, Sea Research Foundation’s Mystic Aquarium is opening its doors on Wednesday, Oct. 31 from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. for a free, safe, family-friendly trick-or-treating event among the aquarium’s exhibits.
 
All are welcome to attend and Mystic Aquarium will accommodate as many families as possible during that time. Last admission is at 7:30 p.m. and, once inside, guests may stay until 8 p.m.
 
Mystic Aquarium did not sustain any damage from the storm and resumes regular business hours on Oct. 31. All are welcome, costumes encouraged."

Press release from CT DEEP on state parks that are open in Rocky Hill, Derby, New London and Voluntown

The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) announces that the following state parks and forests have re-opened today, October 31, 2012. 

 

Dinosaur State Park, Rocky Hill

Kellogg Environmental Center, Derby

Fort Trumbull State Park, New London

Pachaug State Forest, Voluntown

 

Other state parks will be closed today as staff continues to assess damage and begin the work to make them safe again for the public.  Park openings will be scheduled as soon as conditions allow. 

 

The latest information on the opening of state parks is found on DEEP’s State Parks webpage at:  www.ct.gov/deep/stateparks

 

Dinosaur State Park, Rocky Hill

 

                Bring the family for viewing of 600 early Jurassic dinosaur footprints and related exhibits.  The museum will have continuous educational programming feature animal demonstrations and films throughout the day.  The discovery room will also be open for visitors and includes a coloring area, book mark making station, live animals, interactive fossil boxes and geology displays. 

 

                Exhibit center hours are 9:00 am – 4:30 pm. 

 

                                There is a daily admission fee at Dinosaur State Park.  Adults ages 13 and up are $6 youth              ages 6 - 12 are $2 and children under 6 are free.  Connecticut seniors over 65 years of age are           eligible for a Charter Oak Pass (proof of residency is required).  

 

                                The park accepts Visa, Master Card, and Discover Card for admission costs over $10.       Admission costs less than $10 must be paid with cash or a check. Debit cards or American Express       cards are not accepted.

 

                                The park is located at 400 West Street, exit 23 off I-91 in Rocky Hill.  Follow parks signs,   go east on West Street for approximately 1 mile. The park is directly off West Street.  Watch for                 signs and a large geodesic dome.

 

                Kellogg Environmental Center, Derby

 

                Open 9:00 am – 4:30 pm, offers environmental exhibits and grounds for walking and bird watching.

 

                Fort Trumbull State Park,  New London

 

                Open 8:00 am to sunset.  Park grounds only are open.  Fort and Visitor Center closed until Memorial       Day weekend in 2013.

 

                Pachaug State Forest, Voluntown

 

                Open sunrise to sunset.  Hiking trails at Chapman and Green Falls areas in Voluntown.

Electric situation as of Wednesday a.m.

As of 7:40 a.m., Madison was still 86 percent without power, or 7,791 customers out of 9,056.

Statewide, the numbers are:

Total CL&P Customers Served:
1,240,246

Total CL&P Customers Reported Affected:
342,793

% of CL&P Customers Reported Affected:
27%

Statistics as of 6:43 p.m.:

ANDOVER 1398 548 39 ASHFORD 2169 1424 65 AVON 8692 477 5 BARKHAMSTED 1744 541 31 BEACON FALLS 2669 429 16 BERLIN 9624 11 0.11 BETHANY 2314 1597 69 BETHEL 8330 5261 63 BETHLEHEM 1857 538 28 BLOOMFIELD 10030 1337 13 BOLTON 2221 413 18 BRANFORD 16294 12368 75 BRIDGEWATER 959 544 56 BRISTOL 29478 30 0.1 BROOKFIELD 7845 2909 37 BROOKLYN 3561 830 23 BURLINGTON 3686 246 6 CANAAN 1281 278 21 CANTERBURY 2219 1210 54 CANTON 4939 447 9 CHAPLIN 1105 109 9 CHESHIRE 11245 49 0.44 CHESTER 2055 1159 56 CLINTON 6986 6842 97 COLCHESTER 7019 1819 25 COLEBROOK 810 484 59 COLUMBIA 2440 828 33 CORNWALL 1190 596 50 COVENTRY 5484 1896 34 CROMWELL 6969 34 0.49 DANBURY 35356 16382 46 DARIEN 7816 6691 85 DEEP RIVER 2417 1487 61 DURHAM 3082 141 4 EAST GRANBY 2603 631 24 EAST HADDAM 4821 4448 92 EAST HAMPTON 6078 858 14 EAST HARTFORD 23151 39 0.17 EAST LYME 9488 9407 99 EAST WINDSOR 6200 616 9 EASTFORD 878 291 33 ELLINGTON 7179 382 5 ENFIELD 19084 32 0.17 ESSEX 3921 1761 44 FARMINGTON 12221 671 5 FRANKLIN 979 281 28 GLASTONBURY 15464 4877 31 GOSHEN 1893 356 18 GRANBY 4700 638 13 GREENWICH 27918 18900 67 GRISWOLD 3376 1690 50 GROTON 8194 4854 59 GUILFORD 10786 9057 83 HADDAM 3898 660 16 HAMPTON 865 567 65 HARTFORD 58053 491 0.85 HARTLAND 869 126 14 HARWINTON 2503 1132 45 HEBRON 3909 857 21 KENT 2113 604 28 KILLINGLY 8643 855 9 KILLINGWORTH 2827 1770 62 LEBANON 2180 1052 48 LEDYARD 6587 5454 82 LISBON 1826 332 18 LITCHFIELD 4645 1012 21 LYME 1316 1269 96 MADISON 9056 7790 86 MANCHESTER 28650 173 0.6 MANSFIELD 6694 2658 39 MARLBOROUGH 2626 1711 65 MERIDEN 27676 34 0.12 MIDDLEBURY 3375 1079 31 MIDDLEFIELD 2148 359 16 MIDDLETOWN 22597 79 0.35 MONROE 7906 7717 97 MONTVILLE 7996 2867 35 MORRIS 1386 349 25 NAUGATUCK 14336 1498 10 NEW BRITAIN 34181 149 0.44 NEW CANAAN 8375 5942 70 NEW FAIRFIELD 6017 4349 72 NEW HARTFORD 3237 1289 39 NEW LONDON 13736 5506 40 NEW MILFORD 13743 3515 25 NEWINGTON 14582 12 0.08 NEWTOWN 10906 6499 59 NORFOLK 1108 516 46 NORTH CANAAN 1465 322 21 NORTH STONINGTON 2546 1864 73 NORWALK 29661 13723 46 OLD LYME 5454 5176 94 OLD SAYBROOK 6822 2873 42 OXFORD 5276 2291 43 PLAINFIELD 7102 706 9 PLAINVILLE 9311 2 0.02 PLYMOUTH 5774 156 2 POMFRET 1875 659 35 PORTLAND 4571 190 4 PRESTON 2164 1497 69 PROSPECT 4002 132 3 PUTNAM 5093 190 3 REDDING 3903 2978 76 RIDGEFIELD 10677 9009 84 ROCKY HILL 9761 6 0.06 ROXBURY 1333 898 67 SALEM 1904 1814 95 SALISBURY 2963 450 15 SCOTLAND 712 433 60 SEYMOUR 7483 4126 55 SHARON 2146 515 24 SHERMAN 1972 1797 91 SIMSBURY 10121 1233 12 SOMERS 3992 441 11 SOUTH WINDSOR 11560 370 3 SOUTHBURY 9879 2750 27 SOUTHINGTON 19385 15 0.08 SPRAGUE 1416 1306 92 STAFFORD 6150 990 16 STAMFORD 55694 26456 47 STERLING 1623 535 32 STONINGTON 7991 7508 93 SUFFIELD 6030 333 5 THOMASTON 3754 24 0.64 THOMPSON 4576 407 8 TOLLAND 6009 1592 26 TORRINGTON 18590 764 4 UNION 455 78 17 VERNON 15682 971 6 VOLUNTOWN 1298 722 55 WARREN 787 161 20 WASHINGTON 2637 708 26 WATERBURY 50743 1223 2 WATERFORD 9564 4720 49 WATERTOWN 9999 249 2 WEST HARTFORD 28060 3906 13 WESTBROOK 4533 3588 79 WESTON 3808 3583 94 WESTPORT 12351 10540 85 WETHERSFIELD 12367 83 0.67 WILLINGTON 2895 969 33 WILTON 7320 6102 83 WINCHESTER 6124 1268 20 WINDHAM 10505 2860 27 WINDSOR 13125 688 5 WINDSOR LOCKS 6275 4 0.06 WOLCOTT 6897 108 1 WOODBURY 5112 2292 44 WOODSTOCK 4088 1616 39 Total Customers Affected 342,986 27