Crews from CL&P and the Department of Public Works are working around the clock to clear trees, debris and wires so that power restoration can begin, Stevenson said in an address to the public Friday night at the Darien Library. Several town facilities are still without power, including Town Hall and several schools.
Hurricane Sandy caused significant damage to the CL&P backbone that powers buildings on the Post Road and surrounding streets. Crews are currently working to recable that area, but Stevenson said it is a long and challenging process. They are currently looking into alternative methods of temporarily powering that area.
Stevenson said that she couldn't address when specific neighborhoods would be receiving power, but encouraged residents to check on restoration estimates for their neighborhoods on the CL&P website. She also urged residents who have not already done so to sign up for the town's reverse 911 system on the town website.
The emergency shelter that was set up at Darien High School has been closed, but Stevenson said that she is prepared to re-open it if the need arises. There have not been requests by people to stay overnight in the shelter since earlier in the week, but with the weather getting colder, she said that may happen. The Department of Social Services has been distributing hand warmers and space blankets to senior citizens.
One resident asked why she was seeing town employees performing tasks such as mowing lawns at the park instead of clearing trees. Stevenson said that town employees can't remove trees if there are wires involved, only CL&P crews can do that because of the danger related to the task. She also reminded residents that the state Department of Transportation is responsible for clean-up on state roads.
The election will proceed as planned, regardless of whether the polling places have power. The final decision about schools opening will be made Sunday at noon.
Many people have come to Darien from New York and New Jersey to get gas and groceries, and many stations are out of gas. Stevenson said that many have assured the town they will be receiving shipments of gas. She told residents to expect more traffic this weekend as people from out of town will most likely continue to come.
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