Second Emergency Shelter Opens as Town Enters Third Night Without Power

More than 30 residents called the home on Sunday night, now, dozens more are expected at the town's overflow shelter which opened Monday afternoon at

Senior Center employee Andy Lucibello said the town is directing residents to the high school which has better facilities for overnight comfort than does the Senior Center. "We can handle people coming in to get warm, to plug in their cell phones," he said, but the high school is better suited for long-term stays.

As residents enter the third night without power, the town moved a portable generator to power up a portion of the high school to accomodate the growing crowd of residents who have been dealing with the cold and dark since Saturday.

Lt. James Fasano, the Cheshire police spokesman, said cots would be set up in the cafeteria of the high school for overnight stays. That space is much larger than the mulit-purpose room at the senior center.

Two major roads remained closed in Cheshire Monday afternoon. Lt. Joe Mazzini of the Cheshire police said Academy Road between South Meriden Road and Main Street is closed as is Rt. 42 at the Prospect town line. Both roads are closed due to downed power lines, he said.

Mazzini said Academy Road should be cleared by Monday evening, but other closures could occur. "If people see a barricade, don't try to drive through it. Turn around," he said.

Lucibello said senior residents are reslient and weathering the storm well. Those who aren't staying at the town's two shelters are fine, he added. "People bundle up at night. They want to sleep in thier own beds," Lucibello said.