Mayor Aims to Return Milford to Normal

This in from the mayor:

Milford, CT, August 28, 2011: As Hurricane Irene rushed out of Milford, municipal officials were formulating damage assessments and cleanup plans to return the City to normal – including a temporary adjustment to the trash collection schedule.

For the coming week, Mayor James L. Richetelli, Jr. said residents whose trash and recycling bins normally are collected on Monday will have their collections done on Tuesday instead. Residents whose collections are normally scheduled for Tuesday will instead have their trash and recycling collected this week on Wednesday.

“This temporary adjustment will be in effect for this week only," Mayor Richetelli said. “This will give our Department of Public Works crews time to begin their important cleanup tasks.”

Beginning later this week, DPW crews will pick up tree debris generated by Hurricane Irene. The limbs must be cut into lengths no longer than four feet and properly bundled for pick-up. And the debris must not be placed in the roadway. The debris will be picked up on a continuing basis throughout the City, or residents can bring the debris to the transfer station.

“Our first priority will be opening our streets and making them safe,” Mayor Richetelli said. “We need to get the trees and debris off the streets, and allow utility crews safe access to the repair projects.”

At the height of Hurricane Irene, officials said at least 50% of utility customers were without electricity. And they cautioned that live wires may be present in storm debris for a number of days. Fire Department spokesman, Capt. Chris Zak, said that residents should stay away from any hanging wires and use extreme care when walking through standing water.

“While power remains out, we also want to remind residents to use flashlights rather than candles for lighting in their homes,” Capt. Zak said, noting that storms like these pose a variety of potential hazards. “We certainly don’t want to see a house fire because someone has carelessly used candles for lighting. And generators being used for power should be placed outside and away from the home to avoid carbon monoxide exposure and damage to the home.”

As power is restored and flood waters recede, officials said they expect residents who evacuated will be able to return to their homes within the next few days. Meanwhile, the Police Department continues to operate on an emergency schedule that places more officers on patrol.

“Our main focus continues to be on deterrence and pro-active policing,” said Police Lt. Vaughan Dumas, department spokesman. “We will maintain a significant presence, particularly in the shoreline communities where residents have evacuated their homes. And if a resident doesn’t have a phone, and has a concern or question, we encourage him or her to flag down a passing patrol car.”

Mayor Richetelli noted that recovery from Hurricane Irene may be a lengthy process, but that the City is committed to returning services and functions to normal as quickly as possible.

“I’d like to commend our City workers and emergency personnel who worked tirelessly during this event,” Mayor Richetelli said.