patching...

News

Got a hot tip on news you think everyone should know? Tell us. Ugc_link_arrow

Thursday, March 18, 2010

UPDATED Luck of The Irish Brings Major Power Restoration

Police say 3000 homes energized in the past 24 hours; all but 100 to see power restored by midnight, Thursday.

Connecticut Light & Power serves a total of 7,841 customers in Darien, nearly 4,000 of whom lost power as a cause of Saturday's ferocious Nor'easter. According to Rich Walsh, Account Executive Supervisor for the Southern Division of CL&P, last night's major power restorations efforts brought electricity to all but 992 Darien homes; 940 residents saw power restored by 10 p.m., and an additional 52 were energized in the overnight.By Thursday evening, the powerless toll should drop further to 100, said Walsh, with the ultimate goal of 100 percent restoration pinned to Friday morning."Things are already a lot better," said Acting First Selectman David Bayne. "We're rapidly getting back to a state of tolerability." Bayne had his power restored …

Patch_comments_icon

*Update: Acting First Selectman David Bayne said as of 4:45 p.m., all reports from CL&P indicate "significant progress" has been made. CL&P will not issue updated numbers on power restoration before tonight’s 8 p.m. Board of Selectmen meeting, where Bayne said “one or more” representatives are due to present.  more ›

Wednesday, March 17, 2010

UPDATED Major Power Restoration by Midnight

Luck of the Irish brings power restoration to over 2,000 residents.

Connecticut Light & Power serves a total of 7841 customers in Darien, and according to Jack Dolan, CL&P Operations Manager for Stamford, Norwalk and Greenwich, all but 700 should see power restored by midnight. By Thursday evening, the powerless toll should drop further to 200, with the ultimate goal of 100 percent restoration pinned to Friday morning."They said it was an aggressive goal but not unrealistic," said Acting First Selectman David Bayne. "They are committed to those numbers but say they might change."CL&P has been working to secure the "backbone" of the town, and they'll start "flipping the switch" at 7 p.m. this evening. Power restoration will begin in the southern part of town at the electrical substation near Rings End …

Patch_comments_icon

*Update: Thursday morning, Acting First Selectman David Bayne heard from CL&P's Rich Walsh who said last night's restoration figures were inaccurate. In fact, last night's major power restorations efforts brought electricity to all but 992 Darien homes. By Thursday evening, the powerless toll should drop further to 100, with the ultimate goal of 100 percent restoration pinned to Friday morning. …  more ›

Good Deeds 06820

Darien's good Samaritans.

The past few days have seen Darienites unite, and the following is a list of the town's good Samaritans and the services they're offering.If you'd like to give props to a local business, or thank your neighbor for that great meal or hot shower, just post a comment. Alternatively, email your tips and thank-yous to cecelia@patch.com, and we'll post your news for the community to see.Darien LibraryThe community's favored warming shelter, the Darien Library is extending its hours once again and will remain open through 11 p.m. Wednesday's matinee series continues today at 2 p.m. with a free screening of Up in the Air (R; 109 minutes). The Hurt Locker starts at 8 p.m. (R; 131 minutes).Parks & RecreationOrganized soccer and basketball will be …

Once we get through this mess, I hope everyone will remember that the library that was there to support all of us during this crisis needs our support to exist. "Donations buy all the books, magazines, audio books, DVDs, compact discs, programs, and information resources that Library patrons enjoy. Town tax dollars pay salaries and operating expenses only." You can donate online at: http://www.…  more ›

Progress Continues; CL&P Revises Power Restoration Prediction

Wednesday evening's predicted 99% restoration: a maybe. Schools to re-open Thursday.

Nearly four days have passed since Saturday's Nor'easter ripped through Darien, downing hundreds of trees, power lines, and leaving over 3,800 residents without power. Wednesday morning brings news of some progress—albeit not the major advance in power restoration for which most residents had hoped.Connecticut Light & Power reports the town's powerless toll now stands at 2,900, and residents that live on or near main roads are likely to see power restored by this evening. But barring the town's "backbone," Acting First Selectman David Bayne said residents might not see power restored by the end of the day."Significant restorations will come today, but CL&P says it's just too much to hope fore for 99 percent," said Bayne.Bayne said CL&P …

Patch_comments_icon

*Update: CL&P's latest goal: 700 without power by 10 p.m. tonight; 200 without by end of Thursday; by Saturday morning 100% restoration.  more ›

Tuesday, March 16, 2010

Where is the First Selectman?

First Selectman Dave Campbell is in Utah, where he remains in close contact with Darien officials.

Darien residents want to know: where is First Selectman Campbell, and why did he leave town during a time of crisis?"I didn't think the problem was out of control. When I got out here to Utah and realized it was dicey with CL&P, all the flights had been canceled," said Campbell.It was Sunday morning when Campbell handed over the reins to Acting First Selectman David Bayne and hopped a flight across country to Utah. Plans to celebrate his wife's birthday there had been made months in advance, he said. And where he'd experienced the wrath of storm through the Saturday overnight, Campbell said the extent of the devastation was still unknown. "I toured part of the town. I knew it was pretty bad," said Campbell. "I didn't realize how bad it was…

Comment_arrow

Based on the comments here I think there would be a lot of interest in that petition.  more ›

UPDATED Acting First Selectman on Devastation & Restoration

Acting First Selectman David Bayne addresses the Representative Town Meeting.

Monday evening, the Representative Town Meeting heard Acting First Selectman David Bayne address the state of the town in the wake Saturday's storm—the lasting devastation, and the steps towards recovery. First Selectman Dave Campbell handed over the reins Sunday morning. He has since left town, said Bayne, and is due to return "later on this week.""There's nothing more important to the town, the Board of Selectmen, than the health and safety of our residents," said Bayne. "We still have trees falling. Do not think that it is safe out there. Drive with caution. If you see a down wire, assume it's live."On Power Restoration: Where Connecticut Light & Power anticipate a significant number of residences to see power restored by Wednesday …

Where is First Selectman David Campbell. Why did he leave town in the middle of a crisis?  more ›

UPDATED Darien Patch Tracker: Road Closures

The following list is subject to change as clean up progresses.

Downed trees, power lines and debris have left road conditions treacherous. Police urge residents to keep travel to a minimum. "We are not recommending that residents attempt to navigate their way around trees and wires," said Sgt. Jeremiah Marron. All downed wires are to be considered live. The Darien Police Department is coordinating with Connecticut Light & Power and the Darien Department of Public Works to reopen main roads that will facilitate emergency access.   Brookside Road, Raymond Street, Middlesex Road and Stephen Mather have since been cleared for thru traffic. Police say that resources are being focused to reopen Hollow Tree Ridge Road, Rings End Road, Long Neck Point Road, Noroton Ave., and Christie Hill Road. The following …

Patch_comments_icon

*Update: Stephen Mather Road will be closed to thru traffic until about 4 p.m. on Thursday afternoon, as CL&P crews work to move a large tree.  more ›

UPDATED Patch FAQ: After the Storm

The latest answers to your pressing questions. Stay tuned for updates.

Acting First Selectman David Bayne and Connecticut Light & Power Spokesman Mitch Gross held a press conference held at the Darien Refuse Station Tuesday morning, to address the heart felt affects of an "unprecedented" Nor'easter that ripped through Darien during the Saturday overnight. The following concerns were addressed: When will I see power restored? Where the the majority of Darien residence will see power restored by the evening of Wednesday, March 17, Gross said the town may not see 100 percent restoration until the end of the week. "Clean up will continue into the weekend and there will be scattered outages throughout lower Fairfield County—the ends of streets and circuits," said Gross.The good news, said Gross, is that Darien has…

Patch_comments_icon

Wednesday morning: 3113 without power.  more ›

Monday, March 15, 2010

Thousands Without Power, Officials Set up 'Warming Shelter'

Schools will remain closed Tuesday, March 14.

Heavy rains and sustained 60 mph winds, the result of a slow-moving storm system that walloped Fairfield County through the Saturday overnight, have downed hundreds of trees in Darien, leaving dozens of roads closed and over 3,800 residents without power. Efforts to restore power and safety are well underway, but officials anticipate full recovery to be a "multi-day response effort." All Darien schools will remain closed on Tuesday, March 16.And an emergency "warming shelter" will open at Tokeneke Elementary School at 7 p.m., Monday evening, Fire Marshal Bob Buch reports.The following information was provided by Chief Duane Lovello of the Darien Police Department and the Office of Emergency Management:When will I see power restored?Lovello…

Patch_comments_icon

CL&P reports 3156 Darien residents without power.  more ›

UPDATED Storm Wallops Darien; Thousands Powerless for Days

Connecticut Light and Power says it is unlikely Darien will see power before Wednesday.

Heavy rains and 60 mph winds, the result of a slow-moving storm system that walloped Fairfield County through the overnight, have downed over 50 trees in Darien, leaving dozens of roads closed and over 3,800 residents without power. Connecticut Light & Power has resumed its efforts in restoring electricity, bringing an extra 100 trucks to the area and starting with high priority locations. The company confirmed Monday morning that it is "unlikely" Darien will see power before Wednesday, March 17; even then, said CL&P representative Kimberly Marston, they cannot promise 100 percent restoration. The good news, said CL&P's Al Lara, is that Darien's location allows crews to access the area relatively fast. "Darien is lucky to be on the edge of…

Comment_arrow

A comment completely out of touch with the situation, and not worthy of a First Selectman, or any elected official.  more ›

PSST! Want to Contribute?