Town Officials: Travel Ban Remains In Effect For Madison Until Sunday Morning; Loan Of Snowmobile Sought To Help With Recovery Efforts

Gov. Dannel Malloy announced that the statewide travel ban is lifted as of 4 p.m., but still urged residents to stay off the roads.

First Selectman Fillmore McPherson said the travel ban for Madison roads remains in effect until Sunday morning. 

North Madison Volunteer Fire Co. is seeking the loan of a snowmobile to help in assisting their recovery efforts. Do you have a snowmobile that the North Madison Volunteer Fire Co. they can use? Please call North Madison Volunteer Fire Co. Chief Don MacMillan as soon as possible at 203-627-3257. 

Governor Malloy issued this statement Saturday afternoon: 

"While we are lifting the ban on travel this afternoon at 4PM, I still want to urge residents to stay off the roads if at all possible," said Governor Malloy.  "Crews are out clearing roadways as we speak, but the fact is we are going to feel the impact of this storm for some time.  The longer we can keep traffic out of town centers and off of our highways, the more effective our recovery effort will be. "

Emergency responders touring the town evaluating damage said it appears as though the Aquadome roof at 36 Scotland Rd might be partially collapsed. 

Here is Saturday afternoon's message from First Selectman Fillmore McPherson: 

Good afternoon.

This is your First Selectman Fillmore McPherson with a blizzard update for Saturday afternoon, February 9.

As you know, we experienced a very heavy blizzard yesterday into today, with total snowfall of almost three feet.

The major issues before us now are 1) clear the roads and 2) restore power.

Regarding the first, I would like to thank you for heeding the Governor’s proclamation that closed all roads in the state to everyone except emergency personnel.

Please do not venture out until this ban is lifted.

We have had some examples of cars getting completely stuck, usually in a situation to block the road. This greatly hampers our road clearing operation and the ability of emergency vehicles to pass. 

Our town crews worked all day yesterday and all last night to plow the roads. Every street had at least one or two passes before the snowfall became so heavy around 2am that they couldn’t keep up.

The top priority now is to assist police, fire, and EMS personnel in responding to any dire emergency and to assist CL&P in restoring power. After that, we are working on the main feeder roads. Our aim is to have them open by nightfall today. Tomorrow, and perhaps into Monday, we will be working to clear the side roads.

Please keep in mind that the shear volume of snow may require a payloader and several passes of the plow truck to clear the road. 

Now regarding power outages, at the peak this morning there were 18% in town without electricity.

Two thirds of these have been restored and now the outages are down to 6%, with work continuing. Again I would remind you to steer clear of any wire on the ground. If you are running a generator, make sure that the exhaust cannot get into your house. Also make sure your power is not feeding back onto the grid, because if it is someone could be killed. 

On other matters, please continue to check on any neighbor who might be in need. 

On a social note, the Daddy Daughter dance scheduled for tonight at the Arts Barn has been postponed. Check the website at madisonartsbarn.com for further details. Similarly, the Library’s Winter Wonderland Ball has been postponed. 

That’s it for now. Keep safe and good evening.