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Monday, March 15, 2010

Connecticut Light & Power Co. said 6,995 Westport customers were without power as of 7 a.m., or almost 57 percent of all customers.

For the first time since a vicious nor’easter ripped through Westport on Saturday, Connecticut Light & Power Co. Sunday night reported some Westport homes were getting their power back.
Utility crews from New Hampshire gathered at the commuter lot on the Sherwood Island Connector in Westport late Sunday before setting out to restore power.  (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Contributed photo

CL&P’s hourly outage reports, which are computer-generated, had reported a steadily increasing number of Westport customers in the dark on Saturday and most of Sunday.

But the 11 p.m. report Sunday night reported a slight decrease for the first time—7,068 customers out compared to 7,216 an hour earlier. That was still about 58 percent of the town.

A CL&P spokesman said half a dozen utility crews from New Hampshire arrived in late afternoon and immediately began work.

More "Power Coming Back, More Utility Crews En Route"

By James Lomuscio


Gordon F. Joseloff: “heart sank” on news of fatality. Suzanne Sheridan photoFirst Selectman Gordon F. Joseloff called Saturday’s nor’easter that left one woman dead from a falling tree, 27 homes damaged, and more than 7,000 residents without power for days, his most trying time in office.

At the same time, he praised Westport’s emergency personnel for working around the clock, and remained adamant that Connecticut Light & Power Company speed up repairs, calling its delay unacceptable.

The following Q&A is from is excerpted from an interview with Joseloff Sunday evening.

Q: Is there any estimate of the cost of the storm’s damage?

A: No, too early. But certainly in the hundreds of thousands of dollars. The cost to the town will be enormous--but that’s secondary to providing the emergency response Westporters expect. We are deeply indebted to our police, fire, EMS, and public works employees and the dozens of volunteers who responded. 

More "Joseloff: Storm His Most Trying Day"

9 a.m. - 8 p.m. - Westport Public Library - Friends Winter Book Sale (½- price day)
9 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. - Westport/Weston Health District - Wellness Clinic, adults and children
10 a.m. - 4 p.m. - Westport Arts Center - “Found: Making Art from the Material World”
10 a.m. - 4 p.m. - Westport Historical Society - “Westport Modern: When Cool Was Hot!”
6 p.m. - 8 p.m. - Five Guys - Staples Girls Varsity Lacrosse Team Fundraiser
8 p.m. – Town Hall Room 309/308 – RTM Rules Committee Work Session

See more events:  Celebrate Westport Calendar

Sunday, March 14, 2010

A New Hampshire utility crew gets to work on damaged wires late today on Kings Highway North at Old Hill Farms Road. Connecticut Light & Power Co. said a half dozen crews arrived late in the afternoon and would be joined Monday morning by 48 more line crews and 18 tree crews. It said by day’s end the number of line crews will increase to 65. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Contributed photo

Here are the latest storm-related developments in Westport at 10 p.m.

--Public schools are closed on Monday.

--CL&P reported 7,216 Westport customers without power as of 10 p.m. or 59 percent of all customers.

--CL&P estimates it will be “several days” or possibly longer before all Westport customers have power restored.

--CL&P says a half dozen utility crews from New Hampshire arrived in Westport late this afternoon.

--On Monday, they will be joined by 48 line crews and 18 tree crews and the number of line crews will increase to 65 by day’s end.

By James Lomuscio

How much authority does the Representative Town Meeting have in land use decisions? Especially if it means overturning Planning and Zoning Commission rulings?

That will be the focus of the RTM Rules Committee Monday night as it reviews a proposed amendment to the RTM’s Rules of Procedure.

Hadley Rose, moderator of the RTM and chairman of its Rules Committee, explained that the RTM and the P&Z have two different roles, the former a legislative body, the latter more of an interpretative one.

The committee could recommend the proposed changes to go before the RTM for a vote on April 6. Or it could modify the draft changes, or make no recommendation. If approved by the RTM, says Rose, “It will clarify our role.”

More "Committee to Examine RTM Land Use Decision Guidelines"

Here are the latest storm-related developments in Westport:

--Public schools are closed on Monday.

--CL&P reported 7,215 Westport customers without power as of 9 p.m. or 59 percent of all customers.

--CL&P estimates it will be “several days” or possibly longer before all Westport customers have power restored.

--CL&P says utility crews from New Hampshire arrived in Westport late this afternoon. They will work until 11 p.m. and resume work at 6 a.m.

--The Westport Center for Senior Activities was open as a “warming center” until 8 p.m. Those needing shelter should go to Brien McMahon High School, 300 Highland Ave., Norwalk.

--Police say many Westporters are ignoring barricades and yellow tape and passing through areas with downed power lines which could be live.

--The Fire Department said at least 27 homes were damaged by falling trees.

Several trees on Westport’s Jesup Green in front of the Westport Public Library were among those uprooted by Saturday’s storm. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Contributed photo

Westporters without electrical power and Internet service took refuge today en masse at the Westport Public Library’s reading rooms. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Jeff Seaver for WestportNow.com

Jennifer Thibault, the 39-year-old New Jersey woman killed by a falling tree on Park Lane Saturday night, was in Westport to celebrate the birthday of one her sisters, according to her husband.

Arthur Thibault of Long Valley, N.J. told the Daily Record of Parsippany, N.J. that his wife was driving with three of her sisters when a pine tree fell on their car about 7 p.m. during the strong wind and rain storm. Her sisters escaped the accident with minor injuries.

He said his wife had driven to Westport with one her sisters who lives in New Jersey to meet up with another two sisters who live in Connecticut.

He said he was called about the accident at 8:30 p.m. Saturday and was at Norwalk Hospital at 10:30 p.m, the newspaper said. It said Arthur and Jennifer Thibault have two children.

More "Park Lane Tree Victim Was Celebrating Sister’s Birthday"

Those without power and in need of a shower were welcomed at the Westport Weston Family Y today.

David Cohen, the Y’s vice president of operations, said that the Y, at 59 Post Road East, will also be open throughout the week from 5:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. for those in need.

“The Family Y was fortunate to maintain power,” said Cohen.

“Those without power are welcome to be our guests for a hot shower and a stress-relieving workout.”

The Westport Center for Senior Activities will open on a regular schedule Monday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. 

Classes will run on a regular schedule. However, registration scheduled to start on Monday for the next semester has been postponed until Wednesday. 

Those with questions, call the Center at (203)341.5099.

A number of trees were uprooted on Burr Farms Road by Saturday’s storm. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Rusty Ford for WestportNow.com

Utility crews from New Hampshire arrived in Westport late today to help restore power and were immediately sent to help Westport firefighters at a brush fire caused by downed live wires on Old Hill Road. As soon as the wires were declared safe, firefighters quickly extinguished the blaze. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Contributed photo

UPDATE More than half of Westport’s homes were without power today as clean up got under way from a rain and wind storm that left one person dead. Utility officials said full restoration could take several days.
Emergency responders work to remove a tree which fell on a car on Park Lane Saturday night, killing a New Jersey woman and injuring three sisters riding with her. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Contributed photo

Connecticut Light & Power Co. said at 7 p.m. 7,215 homes were in the dark, or 59 percent of its Westport customers.

The first crews from New Hampshire arrived in Westport in late afternoon and several trucks were immediately dispatched to Old Hill Road where energized wires had started a brush fire.

Police today identified the woman killed when a tree fell on her car on Park Lane Saturday night as Jennifer Thibault, 39, of Long Valley, N.J. She was driving with three of her sisters to visit a Westport relative, according to detectives.

More "Power Out to Thousands; Restoration Could Take Days"

Woody Lane, off Cross Highway in Westport, was one of the hardest hit streets during Saturday’s storm. Large trees came down on many properties, including one where a tree hit a house. WestportNow reader David Pogue, fresh off a plane from London, said this is what he found on his return home. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) David Pogue for WestportNow.com

One of Westport’s busiest roads, Compo Road South, remained blocked today near Thomas Road by a tree which fell during Saturday’s storm. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Contributed photo

The Homes With Hope dinner honoring retired CEO Pete Powell, scheduled for Saturday night at the Inn at Longshore and postponed until tonight, had been further postponed because of the storm aftermath, organizers said today.

“We are trying to find a good date for the event and will advise all ticket holders and interested friends of Homes With Hope as soon as possible,” a spokeswoman said.

Trees rested on wires on Westport’s Weston Road near Exit 42 of the Merritt Parkway awaiting clearance by utility crews. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Contributed photo

UPDATE This house on Westport’s Park Lane was one of more than two dozen in Westport hit by trees during Saturday’s storm. An earlier version of this caption said damage appeared to be minimal, but owner Gabriel Shenhar e-mailed that this was “grossly inaccurate and misleading” and “trivializes the severity of what has happened to our house.” (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Contributed photo

A home on Westport’s Vani Court was among those suffering damage from falling trees on Saturday. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Contributed photo

This home on Westport’s Struges Commons was one of at least 27 in Westport that suffered damage from falling trees during Saturday’s storm. No one was injured here or at the other homes.  (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Contributed photo

The Westport public schools will be closed Monday because of Saturday’s storm, Schools Superintendent Elliott Landon said today.

Students and staff should not report to work, but Board of Education offices will be open, he said. All activities are also postponed or canceled.

Landon acted after he was urged to close the schools by First Selectman Gordon F. Joseloff, who was advised to do so by police.

Police officials said it would be too dangerous to navigate Westport roadways on Monday because of downed trees and power lines.

More "Westport Public Schools Cancel Classes on Monday"

UPDATE A pine tree crashed on to a Volvo SUV at Compo Road North and East Main Street during Saturday’s storm. The driver door is flung open and the car abandoned. Because Compo Road North is a state roadway, the state Department of Transportation is responsible for clearing it but must await arrival of utility crews to declare that the wires are not live. WestportNow reader David Mortner messaged (after his power came back) that he and a friend were one of the first to try and help when it happened. “We saw the driver giving us the thumbs up telling us he was ok,” he e-mailed. “There were lines down so we made sure to stay back and make sure the driver stayed in his car. The police were there within minutes.” (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Erika Martin for WestportNow.com

Cars unable to get through blocked roads and having to turnaround were the order of the day today in Westport. This was the scene on Compo Road South which was closed near Thomas Road because of a downed tree. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Contributed photo

UPDATE Metro-North said at 11:30 a.m.  that New Haven Line trains were operating on or close to schedule with some residual delays after a series of storm-related incidents with five to 10-minute delays because of the weather-related signal problems.

This tree came down on Newtown Turnpike during Saturday’s storm, one of scores that fell, cutting power to more than half of Westport’s homes. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dorrie Harris for WestportNow.com

Connecticut Light & Power Co. said 6,561 Westport customers were without power as of 9 a.m., or almost 54 percent of all customers. 

Connecticut Light & Power Co. said 5,848 Westport customers were without power as of 7 a.m., or almost 48 percent of all customers. 

The National Weather Service in Upton, N.Y. has issued an updated flood watch for Westport and area which is in effect through this evening.

An early morning advisory said rain will continue on and off through tonight with up to an additional half an inch of rainfall expected.

This will bring rainfall totals through tonight to 2 to 5 inches with localized amounts of up to 6 inches across the area.

It said urban and poor drainage flooding will likely make some flood-prone roadways impassable. 

More "Flood Watch Update Issued"

The National Weather Service in Upton, N.Y. has issued a coastal flood advisory for Westport and area which is in effect from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. today. The coastal flood warning has been canceled.

There is no longer a threat of moderate coastal flooding as high tide has passed, an advisory said.

However, due to residual high water levels today, tides of 2 to 2.5 feet above normal will produce widespread minor coastal flooding at the time of high tide today.

Westport high tides today are at 11:11 a.m. and 11:27 p.m.

Flocks of gulls gathered together on the shores of South Compo Beach and then, as if at a given signal, took to the air during Saturday’s rain and wind storm. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Larry Untermeyer for WestportNow.com

By James Lomuscio

U.S. Rep. Jim Himes (D-Conn.) seemed more like a counselor or a confessor as he met individually with constituents in a back room at Canal Park’s community center on Saturday.
Congressman Jim Himes greets David Carmichael of Wilton who had questions about the healthcare bill. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) James Lomuscio for WestportNow.com

The few who gathered at the Westport Housing Authority senior living facility came with a variety of concerns and from as far away as Bridgeport.

“I’m here to ask him about healthcare,” said David Carmichael of Wilton as he waited for his turn. “I want to know which way he’s leaning and why because I was a little concerned the other day when I heard Nancy Pelosi say, ‘As soon as we pass it, we’ll know what’s in in.’ “

Sitting in a wheelchair, Bridgeport resident George Fountas, an 85-year-old, disabled World War II veteran, said he wanted Himes’s help with problems he faces with the Bridgeport Housing Authority. 

More "Himes Meets One-on-One with Constituents"

Connecticut Light & Power Co. said 5,770 Westport customers were without power as of midnight., or 47 percent of all customers. 

PROPERTY TRANSFERS

Westport Property Transfers Feb. 22 - 26, 2010
MORE >>

ARTS & LEISURE

Rain Helps, Not Dampens Book Sale

Winter Book Sale Rush

BUSINESS

State: Westport Unemployment Rate at 6.5 Percent

Westport’s Bridgewater Slips to No. 2 in Asset Management

COMMUNITY

Neighbors Assail Zoning Change for Linxweiler Property

Going to Beautiful Lengths for Cancer Patients

HEALTH & FITNESS

New York Sports Club Reopens After Fire

Restrictions Eased on H1N1 Flu Vaccinations

EDUCATION

Staples Challenge Winners Honored

Fairfield County Foundation Offering Scholarships

OBITUARIES

Charles H. Culp, 78

Arline Joan Lerner Grant, 86

POLITICS

Committee to Examine RTM Land Use Decision Guidelines

Himes Meets One-on-One with Constituents

REAL ESTATE

Westport Property Transfers Feb. 22 - 26, 2010

Heartbreak Hotel: Inn at National Hall Set to Close Monday

SPORTS

Put Me in Coach

Yankees World Series Trophy at State Capitol

SPECIAL REPORTS

Memorial Day 2009 photos
 
♥♥♥Valentine’s Greetings from WestportNow Readers♥♥♥
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Note: WestportNow Publisher Gordon F. Joseloff is also First Selectman of Westport