Percentage Of Glastonbury Residents Without Power Is Now Down To 8%

From the Town of Glastonbury:

August 10, 2020

The Town is making a concerted effort to address local damage, fallen trees, road blockages, and other issues resulting from tropical storm Isaias. The information below summarizes storm resources, program cancellations, facility closures, contact information, and answers to commonly asked questions. This page will be updated on a continual basis as new developments arise and progress is made to restore power to the community.

Status of Power Restoration

As of 8:16 am on 8/10, 8.38% of Glastonbury residents/customers are still without power and “given the significant amount of damage, [Eversource] is projecting complete restoration in town by noon on Tuesday (8/11). Residents with internet access may visit the Eversource website and subscribe to receive text or email updates as power is restored to their area. To report or check the status of a power outage, please visit the Eversource website or contact them by phone at 1-800-286-2000. The Town will share any power restoration updates here and on the Town Facebook page as available. For contact information for fallen trees or downed wires, please see below.

Home Service Damage to Customer-Owned Equipment

If the electrical service to your property has been damaged, Eversource will make temporary repairs to safely restore your power if possible. Your local wire inspector will need to inspect your property and issue a permit in order for permanent repairs to be completed. There are 4 steps the property owner needs to take. Please click here to view the Four Step House Service Damage guide provided by Eversource.

Potable Water

Potable water is available at the rear of each of the 4 Fire Companies for residents in need (excluding Fire Station #4, where the hose is located in the front of the building). This resource is self-service and you must bring your own container.

• Company #1: 2825 Main Street | Glastonbury, CT 06033
• Company #2: 905 Main Street | South Glastonbury, CT 06073
• Company #3: 1089 Chestnut Hill Road | Glastonbury, CT 06033
• Company #4: 1247 Manchester Road | Glastonbury, CT 06033

Please be mindful of the following when retrieving water at the stations:

• Do NOT park in front of the overhead doors as fire apparatus may need to exit in the event of an emergency.
• Wash your hands thoroughly before handling the fire hoses. Do NOT use the hose if you are experiencing any symptoms of illness or you are caring for a family member with COVID-19.
• When finished, place the hose back on the spigot rather than on the ground for health purposes.

Shower and Charging Stations - Available at Glastonbury High School

Showering facilities and charging stations for electronic devices are available at GHS during the hours below. Please enter the Gym at the rear of the school. The charging stations will be located in the gym and the showers are in the men's and women's locker rooms. Way-finding signage is in place.

Please note:

• The facility should ONLY be used for showering and charging of electronic devices. The remainder of the GHS facility is closed. Please do not loiter, roam the halls, or partake in any activities other than showering and charging devices while on site.
• Do not leave electronic devices unattended. Town/School staff are not responsible for lost/stolen items.
• The Town/School is NOT sanitizing surfaces between users so please use at your own risk.
• You must wear masks while walking through the facilities and observe all COVID-19 guidelines.
• Do NOT visit the facility if you are ill or caring for a family member who is ill.

Showering and Charging Facility Hours at Glastonbury High School:

• Thursday, 8/6: 4:00 pm – 9:00 pm
• Friday, 8/7: 6:00 am – 9:00 am and 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm
• Saturday, 8/8 8:00 am – 8:00 pm
• Sunday, 8/9 8:00 am – 8:00 pm
• Monday, 8/10: 6:00 am – 9:00 am and 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm
• Tuesday: TBD (will be open if power has not been restored to the community by then)

Free Brush and Tree Disposal for Residents

The Bulky Waste Facility on Tryon St. is open extended hours from 7AM to 7PM until, and including Saturday, 8/15. Residents may bring brush/trees resulting from the storm only for disposal at the Bulky Waste Facility (BWF) at NO CHARGE during these extended, post-storm hours with permits waived and only proof of residency required. Commercial operators are required to pay regular established fees accordingly also required to verify material origin. ALL storm-related debris is directed to BW only (not Transfer Station).

Please note:

• Due to road blockages, the only route currently OPEN to get to the BWF is taking Main Street to Old Maids Lane to Tryon Street.
• The BWF does NOT have power therefore cash or check only accepted for other items (no credit cards accepted until power restored).
• Face masks required for the health and safety of all.
• Open burning is NOT permitted!

Residents should bring all brush/trees to the Bulky Waste Facility only (NOT the Transfer Station) and bring cash/check for any items disposing of for a fee at the Transfer Station (no credit cards accepted until power restored).

At this time, there are no current plans for a curb-side brush pick up but the BWF hours have been extended to provide residents an expanded opportunity to clear their properties after the storm.

Spoiled Food and Compost Program

Residents with spoiled food resulting from the storm may bring it to the Transfer Station for disposal through the Town’s Food Waste Disposal program. Residents who would like to have it composted in the Town's food waste compost container instead of as household trash may do so with fees waived (only proof of residency required) for a limited time following the storm. Participants MUST comply with food compost guidelines on website (e.g. no plastic, packaging, etc.).

Program/Facility Updates as of 9:15 am on 8/10:*

• Town Hall – Open but closed to public due to pandemic. Staff working remotely during normal operating hours.
• Boat Launch - Open
• Bulky Waste Facility - Open extended hours as noted above. Power has been restored but credit cards not yet accepted due to system outage. See above for specific conditions/access.
• Dial-A-Ride (Still suspended – no change from pandemic suspension)
• Dog Park - CLOSED due to a fallen tree
• EASTBURY PARK and Pond - CLOSED until further notice due to a fallen tree and wires. Please avoid this area for your safety.
• Gymnastics (P&R program) -Please contact Glastonbury Parks & Recreation for real-time-updates.
• Minnechaug Golf Course – Open
• Pools - Grange Pool is Closed and without power. Addison is open.
• RCC - CLOSED - No power.
• Skate Park - Open
• Swim Team: Open
• Tennis Lessons: Open
• Transfer Station - Open but without power. Credit card payments are NOT being accepted until further notice. Please plan accordingly and bring check/cash for any items you are disposing of for a fee. (Only brush/trees resulting from the storm may be disposed of for free at the BWF.)
• YFS – Office Closed. (no change from pandemic) Staff working remotely during normal operating hours.
• WTML –Open 9am - 1pm on Monday, 8/10 and will remain open during COVID-19 hours going forward.

Generator Tips

• Generator Safety Tips from the Department of Public Health
• Don't fuel your generator when running.
• Make sure your generator is outside, and not in your garage.
• Make sure that the exhaust is facing outward.
• With prolonged power interruption, your alarm system's battery may run out and cause your system to go into alarm.
• Before you use a generator, make sure it is connected by a qualified electrician. Always operate it outdoors and as far from the house as possible. Keep it away from doors, windows and air vents to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning.

Downed Wires

If you see a downed wire, call Eversource at (800) 286-2000 or Glastonbury Police Dispatch at (860) 633-8301 to report it immediately. Always assume wires are live and stay as far away as possible until the area is cleared.

Fallen Trees – WITHOUT WIRES

Town staff have been working diligently to clear the blocked roadways and address the majority of issues creating blockages on town roadways. For the safety of all, please heed road closure signs/cones and detour as necessary to avoid areas where there is remaining debris and fallen trees in the roadways. To report a fallen tree on a town road or sidewalk, please visit www.glastonbury-ct.gov/citizenrequest and submit the request, which will automatically be routed to a Town staff member who can address it. You may also submit requests to clear debris, broken lights at town parks, and other requests for service through this portal. If you do not have internet access, you can report fallen trees and other requests by contacting the Glastonbury Customer Service Center at (860) 652-7710. Phones will be answered during normal business hours (Mon-Fri between 8:00 am and 4:30 pm) and voicemails will be checked regularly for messages left outside of these hours. Please include the street address, intersection, and as much detail as possible. Please note: any fallen trees that present an immediate hazard, (e.g. blocking roadways or intermingled with downed wires) should be reported to Police Dispatch at (860) 633-8301.

Ongoing Updates

This web page will be updated regularly and is accessible via www.glastonbury-ct.gov/storm for quick access to any updates. Eversource Customers are encouraged to sign up to receive storm outage updates on the channel of their choice (text, email, phone call) at www.eversource.com.

If you have any additional questions beyond what is addressed above, please contact the Glastonbury Customer Service Center at (860) 652-7710 during normal business hours (Monday - Friday, 8:00 am - 4:30 pm) or leave a message and a staff member will follow up with you in a timely manner.

Please stay safe, drive cautiously, and be patient as the Town and Eversource work to address the aftermath of this significant storm event.

This press release was produced by the Town of Glastonbury. The views expressed are the author's own.