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Health & Fitness

Killingworth Update after Hurricane Sandy

Finally, some progress in restoring power to Killingworth. More accountability from CL&P is needed.

Once again, we are facing massive power outages as a result of an extreme weather event, and once again, CL&P's restoration process has been terribly inadequate.

I was hopeful in the first 24 hours post-Sandy. After last fall's storms, I and many other first selectmen pushed hard for better cooperation and communication from CL&P. And in fact, the initial response to Sandy was a big improvement. CL&P positioned two crews here before the storm and then worked closely with the town to open virtually all our roads in less than a day. Service to Route 81 north of the traffic circle--which covers the fire company, the ambulance company, the Town Hall and the public works garage, two schools, and the Jensen's senior community--was restored very quickly.

Then things stalled. This evening, we can finally report some good progress: Lower Roast Meat Hill, Ironworks, Hemlock, Pond Meadow, Burr Hill, Schnoor, and parts of Route 148 and other roads have power back. I'm pleased that CL&P now reports that we are down to 22 percent outage. But getting to this point has been a struggle, and it's not over.

Find out what's happening in The Haddams-Killingworthwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

As it was last year, communication within CL&P is abysmal. In spite of the continuous presence of a very dedicated and capable town liaison officer, we have had trouble getting anything but the most general, statewide projections for restoration. Besides quicker restoration, more accurate information about the restoration process would allow residents to make plans.

Our own State Senator Ed Meyer was a leader in pushing for accountability standards for utility companies after last fall's storms. The need for such regulations has never been clearer. We should look at strengthening them further.

Find out what's happening in The Haddams-Killingworthwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Meanwhile:

The shelter at the HK Middle School will open at 8:00 a.m. Saturday for warm showers, water, and recharging. Bring your own towel and toiletries. If you need a warm place to stay, the shelter at the John Winthrop Middle School in Deep River is open tonight. Tomorrow we will make a decision on whether to open the HKMS shelter overnight.

The Transfer Station will be open from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. tomorrow (Saturday) and will accept brush.

Chatfield Hollow State Park is closed until further notice.

Stay safe:

--If you are still running a generator, don't do it in an enclosed space.

--If you have been without power, don't risk eating foods that have not been properly refrigerated.

--Stay away from power lines. If you see a power line down on a road, call 911.

Lastly, please join me in thanking the Community Emergency Response Team, the Killingworth Lions Club, the Killingworth Women's Organization, the Killingworth Volunteer Fire Company, and all the other wonderful volunteers who are helping us get through this as a community.

 

 

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