The Aftermath of Hurricane Irene Update from First Selectman Marconi
/ 0
- Details
- Category: First Selectman
- Last Updated on Friday, 02 September 2011 18:31
- Written by Terri Garlick
HamletHub just got off the phone with a very, very tired, but determined, Rudy Marconi. Here are some of the highlights of the conversation:
*Just under 40% of the town remains without power ~ that's between 10,000 and 12,000 residents. On the road, there are 32 line crews, 16 tree crews, 14 pole setting trucks and 16 patrollers. However, many have come late to the game arriving only yesterday or today. "Totally unacceptable of Northeast Utilities, as far as I'm concerned," says the First Selectman! There will be some crews working tonight, through the weekend, and on Labor Day.
*CL&P will not reconnect power lines or the power box to individual homes. If the wires are off your home, please call an electrician to have it reinstalled.
*If there are lines down at your house, and your neighbors have power, you need to call, 800-286-2000 to report your outage.
*Northeast Utilities has stated that 99.9% of the State will be fully restored of power by Thursday, September 8th at Midnight. "We're working like hell to have this happen here in Ridgefield, as well," states Marconi.
*Last night, Ridgefield was featured on NBC's Nightly News telecast, but not in a very positive light. "I was saddened a bit... it's not a great image for us and not something to be proud of. I hated to see the police cars and school buses portrayed together as they were," says Rudy.
*When this is all over, Rudy Marconi hopes that State officials, Town officials, Northeast Utilities management, and residents don't finger-point but work together towards resolution. Marconi pondered, "what if this had been a true Category 1 or 2 hurricane?" Perhaps better communication channels for residents to access information would be a good start.
*The Town Transfer Station will be open Saturday and Sunday and will be free for brush, but not for garbage.
*Mr. Marconi said that school is set to open on September 6.
