Granby Urges Families to Forgo Trick-or-Treating; In East Granby, 'Play It By Ear'

Granby and East Granby children are most likely left with the Faustian bargain of no school Monday, but also without Halloween trick-or-treating.

Granby Town Manager William Smith in a telephone interview Monday morning urged residents to forgo outdoor Halloween festivities in light of the icy conditions, lack of
power and felled trees and power lines left in the wake of the weekend's nor'easter that blew through the northeast. "Children should not go out," Smith said.

East Granby First Selectman Jim Hayden said yesterday that parents should "play it by ear" when it comes to door-to-door candy solicitation.

Both towns are still 100 percent off line, according to Smith and Hayden, though CL&P crews are working in Granby and East Granby. Residents, particularly those who have lost
individual connections to their homes, should prepare to be without power for up to a week, Smith said.

As such, Granby has opened an emergency shelter at the Senior Center and Youth Services building, which has limited space. Smith said that about 15 people used the
facility on Saturday, and about 30 were there yesterday into today.

"Some people just stay a little while, then leave," Smith said. Smith urged residents who have generators to 'help out their neighbors' out."

In East Granby, the town's Senior Center is serving as an emergency shelter, and about 20 people were there as of 10:15 a.m. Monday.

The fuel situation in the area is dire, as most area gas stations are also without power. Smith said that having power restored was the first priority — particularly in the town center, which houses two gas stations.

"Getting power back is the key element," Smith said.