Storm Recovery Update: When Will Power Be Restored In Branford?

BRANFORD, CT — Sometime between late Friday and Tuesday at midnight, Eversource promises, the 5,290 Branford homes and businesses that have been struggling without power —in a pandemic—will have lights.

So a glimmer of hope, but when is the question; you'll know when things start to ding and light-up: the microwave, the cable box, the hum of the fridge.

In the meantime, here's what the town is doing to help a third of a community in the dark.

"Restoration efforts continue to move forward and several critical infrastructure facilities our now back online and some major roads have been opened," a statement from the office of First Selectman Jamie Cosgrove reads.

"We are awaiting the arrival or a restoration crew assigned to Branford from Massachusetts. We understand residents’ frustration with the continued delay in restoration," Cosgrove's statement early Friday read, "Please be assured that we are continuing to put pressure on Eversource regarding restoration efforts."

Note that since power went out at some town departments, phone lines are down. If you're calling, leave a message as those are being retrieved by staff and calls will be returned as quickly as possible, the town says.

How to charge up, cool off, get medications, drive safely around town

COOLING CENTER –The Joe Trapasso Community House located at 46 Church Street will remain open as a cooling center for Branford residents on Saturday and Sunday from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Please ring the doorbell located at the rear entrance.

DO NOT VISIT THE FACILITY IF YOU ARE SICK OR HAVE BEEN IN CONTACT WITH SOMEONE THAT HAS TESTED POSITIVE FOR COVID-19 WITHIN THE LAST 14 DAYS, OR HAVE TRAVELED TO A STATE THAT IS ON THE STATE OF CONNECTICUT TRAVEL ADVISORY LIST.

All visitors must adhere to the following COVID-19 Safety Protocols:

· Have your temperature checked upon arrival.

· Sign in by providing your name and contact information.

· Use hand sanitizer upon entry.

· Wear a face covering at all times while inside the building (unless you have a medical condition that prevents you from wearing one).

· Practice social distancing at all times and maintain a 6 foot distance between you and others.

If you fail to comply with the above protocols you may be asked to leave the facility.

Charging stations are also available.

CHARGING STATIONS – Outside outlets are available for charging electronics at Branford Fire Headquarters, Indian Neck Fire Station, Stony Creek Fire House and Town Hall.

PHARMACIES/PRESCRIPTIONS – CVS at Short Beach Road is currently closed due to loss of power. If you normally receive your prescription at this location please try calling another branch for assistance. The closest location is CVS, 369 Main Street, East Haven 203-468-6594.

TRAVEL – Please use extreme caution when traveling and DO NOT go around or through areas that are marked off by yellow tape or barriers.

What to know about garbage pickup & storm debris

DEBRIS COLLECTION – Curbside Collection of tree debris will be begin tomorrow. The Town will send crews to pick up and/or chip tree limbs that are less than 8 feet in length and up to 8” in diameter. Smaller debris (branches must be less than 3 feet in length) can be placed in trash bags, brown bags or left loose in barrels.

TRANSFER STATION – The Transfer Station will remain open until 5:00 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday to accept clean wood or green waste only. Trash and other household items will not be accepted after 1:30 p.m. on Thursday and Friday or after 2:30 p.m. on Saturday.

Here's a well-deserved shout-out to dispatchers

In a Facebook post, Branford Police noted that from the beginning of the storm Tuesday afternoon until midnight, the people that pick up the phone to get police, fire and medical help to those in need, handled 227 "calls for service."

"Just to put that in perspective, on an average day during that time frame there are about 30. In addition to the calls for service, they were dispatching police, fire and medical and keeping track of the important info to relay to Eversource and the Emergency Operations Center. Side note that 227 is only the calls for service. Not the actual amount of calls they received which was much, much higher. We appreciate the hard work they always put in," police wrote.