Community Update from the Town Manager Christopher Bromson 08/06/2020
Currently, approximately 6,103 Eversource customers are without power in Enfield as of Thursday morning and 23 roads in Enfield remain closed. As of 11 AM this morning, Eversource will not confirm the number of crews or provide a timeframe for when they will be able to restore power. Given the apparently unpreparedness of Eversource to the Hurricane Isaias, the Governor has requested that PURA investigate the state’s public utility companies. We applaud his decision. Insofar as Eversource Utility is solely regulated by the State, we have reached out to our state representatives, Representative Hall, Representative Arnone, and Senator Kissel, to assist us in restoring power to our community.
The Transfer Station will be extending its hours until 4:30 Thursday and Friday, August 6 and 7, so that our residents can dispose of debris from the Storm. On Wednesday, residents brought in over 27 tons of debris! Yard waste pickup is scheduled for Friday. Please use your brown tipper barrels for debris.
Our Department of Public Works staff have been cutting what is needed to ensure safe passage for residents and removing brush and debris. Based upon the extent of the downed trees, this will take multiple days to accomplish. When Eversource arrives and finishes repairing their lines, DPW will work as quickly as possible to remove any remaining debris to get the road open as soon as possible. Please remember that by law and for safety, Department of Public Works staff may not move any branches or tree limbs that are entangled in downed wires and must wait for Eversource to respond first.
Our EMS has continued operations during the storm and aftermath. Staff is preparing for prolonged repercussions of the outage, such as heat related issues, falls while maneuvering in the dark, respiratory related issues, etc. EMS has been in contact with Social Services staff related to Enfield’s “high risk” population in the CARES program and with the Police Department related to road closures. EMS is advising residents to dial 211 for shelter related questions. All EMS staff are “on call” if additional assistance is needed.
Our Enfield Police Department has been very busy responding to calls during the Storm and keeping the community safe. On 08/05/2020, upon receiving several calls for service for wires and trees down, the Police Department activated the Auxiliary division. A total of 5 auxiliaries immediately responded to the call for help. Despite being unpaid employees, they were willing to come in and stay as long as needed.
All municipal buildings are online with the exception of Prudence Crandall school.
Under Social Services, the Elderly Services Care Coordinator and Caseworker contacted all Enfield CARES Registry senior citizens to ascertain any needs they may have prior to the storm. The Enfield Child Development Center (ECDC) at Stowe had to close its doors at noon on Wednesday, 8/5, due to the loss of power. All children were given a bag lunch to go. Power at ECDC has been restored and it is open today, 8/6, for regular operations.
The Youth Services staff at the Angelo Lamagna Activity Center are allowing people into the building to charge cell phones. Social distancing and masks are required. This will be done during regular office hours only.
The Enfield Public Library is open during regular business hours, 9 AM to 8 PM. All visitors are expected to wear masks and practice social distancing. There is also an outdoor charging station set up by the back door.