October Snowstorm: A Look Back From Granby, East Granby Town Leaders

Granby Town Manager Bill Smith and East Granby First Selectman Jim Hayden were unified in their appraisal of the efforts of Connecticut Light and Power (CL&P), noting that the company's corporate information sources weren't up to standards and that the utility was unprepared for the severity of the severe snowstorm of Oct. 29.

"It's not unlike it was with any other town," Smith said, nothing that everyone was caught by surprise with the amount of damage caused.

"CL&P wasn't prepared for the intensity of the storm," Hayden said. "They had unprecedented damage to their system."

Smith said that the problem could have been much severe if the weather was worse — freezing temperatures would have severely complicated sheltering and rescue efforts.

"It was a very intense time," Smith said of the storm and the response to it. "It wasn't very well coordinated. I think [CL&P] just guessed at it."

Smith did mention that everyone, including town employees and CL&P ground crews, did the best they could to deal with the serious effects of the storm.

Hayden was quick to point out that East Granby's local liaison to CL&P, Dave Hayward, helped coordinate efforts with town employees including state troopers and department of public works leader Ed Hubbard.

By working together, CL&P and town employees ensured that East Granby had its roads cleared relatively quickly, by the Wednesday after the storm hit. Hayden said CL&P crews on the ground and town employees went "above and beyond" what they were required to do.

While East Granby doesn't have the amount of residents or roads of Granby, the town still had a number of obstacles to deal with.

"We certainly have our share of trees," Hayden said.

As for FEMA reimbursement, Granby is still awaiting the official check but received final approval for $1.45 million dollars in expense reimbursent. East Granby officially received its requested $416,000.