Storm Recovery Updates For the Town Of Glastonbury

From the Town of Glastonbury:

Updated on August 6, 2020

The Town is making a concerted effort to address local damage, fallen trees, road blockages, and other issues resulting from last night’s tropical storm Isaias. The updates below summarize program cancellations, contact information, and answers to commonly asked questions and this information will be updated on a continual basis as new developments arise and progress is made.

Status of Power Restoration

Unfortunately the Town does NOT have a projected time for power to be restored to the Glastonbury community. Eversource has reported that as of 9:00 am on 8/6, 63.96% of Glastonbury residents/customers are still without power and “given the significant amount of damage, [Eversource] is asking customers to prepare for multiple days without power.” Residents with internet access may visit the Eversource website and subscribe to receive text or email updates as power is restored to their area.

Reporting an Outage

Eversource had an issue with their reporting system the night of the storm (8/4), which prevented customers from being able to report outages by phone or on the Eversource website. This issue has since been resolved and Eversource is encouraging folks to contact them directly to report any current outages and downed wires that are still in effect. The Town will share any power restoration updates here and on the Town Facebook page upon receipt and as available.

Potable Water

As of 5:00 pm on Wednesday, 8/5, potable water will be available at the rear of each of the 4 Fire Companies in town for residents in need (excluding Fire Station #4, where the hose is located in the front). This resource is self-service and you must bring your own container. For the health and safety of all community members, please wash your hands thoroughly before handling the fire hoses and do not use the hose if you are experiencing any symptoms of illness or you are caring for a family member with COVID-19. The addresses of the 4 fire stations in town are listed here for your convenience.

• Company #1 (Headquarters): 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

Free Brush and Tree Disposal for Residents

The Refuse Disposal Division has extended the hours at the Bulky Waste Facility (1145 Tryon Street), and will be open from 7AM to 7PM today through Saturday, 8/8. 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. Please note, the BWF does NOT have power therefore cash or check only accepted for other items (no credit cards accepted until power restored). Please also remember your face mask for the health and safety of all.

The Transfer Station is open as well during its standard operating hours however it is also without power. Residents should bring all brush/trees to the Bulky Waste Facility only 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.

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 since last night 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/citizen... 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 4:30pm) 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.

The following town facilities are currently CLOSED due to the storm:

• Town Hall (closed to the public anyway due to pandemic)
• Pools
• Riverfront Community Center
• WTML
• YFS offices
• EASTBURY PARK and Pond - CLOSED until further notice due to a fallen tree and wires. Please avoid this area for your safety.

*The Transfer Station and BWF are open but currently without power therefore credit card payments are NOT being accepted at either facility 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.)

Program/Facility Updates as of 9:20 am on 8/6:

• Art Camp (P&R) - Open Thursday, 8/7.
• Camp Sunrise - Closed Thursday, 8/6. (Still without power at Naubuc)
• Camp Discovery - Open
• Dial-A-Ride (Still suspended – no change from pandemic suspension)
• Fitness Classes – Live Virtual Classes are being recorded and emailed out for people that currently don’t have power/internet
• Food bank – anyone who had already registered for this past Wednesday's Food Bank pick-up, your scheduled pickup will be postponed to this Friday, 8/7 from 10-11:00 a.m. Information for new food bank participants can be found at www.glastonbury-ct.gov/foodbank.
• Gymnastics (P&R program) - cancelled Thursday, 8/6, open Friday, 8/7
• Mad Science Chem Works – Cancelled Aug 5-7
• • Minnechaug Golf Course – Open

  Pools - Closed. Addison will open this Saturday, 8/8. Grange will open this weekend if power restored.

• Senior Services programs
• Skate Park - Closed today. Will open Friday, 8/7.
• Skyhawks Sports & Games – Cancelled Aug 5-7
• Skyhawks Mini Hawk – Cancelled Aug 5-7
• Swim Team: cancelled
• Tennis Lessons: open
• Youth & Family Services - Thursday movie night series is on as scheduled. Thursday afternoon Theatrical programming is TBD. Check back here for updates.

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.

Shower and Charging Stations

Arrangements are in progress for shower and electronic device charging facilities at Glastonbury High School and will be published here once finalized. For those without internet access, updates will also be available through our Customer Service Center at (860) 652-7710. Please check back in the coming days for detailed information and facility hours and regulations.

Gas

We have observed that the following gas stations in Glastonbury have power and are open/selling gas as of the morning of 8/5. This is NOT a complete list and we will not be keeping it updated in real time.The remaining gas stations may well be open and fully operational as well. This is merely a quick list for resident convenience.

• Cumberland Farms
• Citgo
• Shell (Shah Enterprises)
• Irving

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.