Granby Public Safety/CL&P Update

As CL&P slowly makes its way to Granby vis a vis Rte. 10 through Simsbury, the town has two priorities, according to Sgt. Gary Charette of the police department.

The first is to clear roads that are still completely blocked by debris, while the second is to remove all obstructions from partially passable thoroughfares to make way for emergency vehicles such as fire trucks and ambulances, Charette said

“[Members of] public safety are working long hours and doing the best they can,” Charette said.

Residents, by and large, have been patient and cooperative during this ordeal, said Charette, noting that Granby has not seen an uptick in crime - particularly home break-ins and car  smash-and-grabs - that other towns have experienced since massive power outages have struck the state.

“It’s been very good,” Charette said. “Everyone is very understanding.”

According to Charette, a CL&P crew is working with the department of public works to restore power, with the priorities being Granby’s commercial district in the town center as well as Route 20 due to the low-hanging wires and (alliteration alert) the tractor trailer truck traffic, according to Charette.

Still, Charette said that he had “not idea” when power might be restored, noting that there was more to the issue than just removing trees and reconnecting power lines.

“It is so complicated,” Charette said. “It’s frustrating because there was extensive damage to the network.”

The biggest concern from a public safety standpoint is when power comes back on line, and now-dormant wires become live, Charette said.

“We tell people to treat all wires as though they are live,” Charette said. “Don’t be complacent and think that just because a wire has been out for four days that it will remain out for four more days.

“Don’t risk your life trying to touch, cut or move a wire.”

Another issue that Charette warned about is carbon monoxide levels in homes where generators and charcoal heaters are being used.

“People are going to the hospital over these things,” Charette said.

Charette stressed that people with such devices should make sure that the areas in which generators and charcoal heaters are being used are well-ventilated and that their owners follow their operation guidelines.