Town Prepares for Hurricane Sandy

Today is the day everyone has been dreading and preparing for -- the day Hurricane Sandy is scheduled to arrive. 

Town officials have spent days getting ready for what forecasters have said could be the biggest weather event in a century. Here's a recap of what you need to know:

-- School has been cancelled for both today and Tuesday. Stay tuned to Hamden Patch for further school cancellations.

-- Town administrative offices and the library system will be closed on Monday. Only “essential” personnel are required to come in to their respective offices. This order mirrors Governor Malloy’s declaration for State employees.

“I want to ensure the safety of our employees, as well as our town residents. The safest place for Town staff who are not “essential” and trained to work in these conditions is in their homes," Mayor Scott Jackson said.  

The Mayor said he will be at the Government Center and the Emergency Operations Center throughout the day to assist residents and coordinate the Town’s response to the storm.

-- Jackson announced that he has declared a Local State of Emergency for the town of Hamden effective at 1 p.m. Sunday, October 28 and will remain in effect until further notice.

-- The town’s Emergency Shelter at Hamden High School opened Sunday and will be open until at least Wednesday, Oct. 31 at 6:00 p.m. 

Hamden High School is equipped with an emergency generator for power. The shelter will be manned by Hamden’s Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) in coordination with the Hamden Fire Department.

Residents should bring the following items:

• Bedding
• Medications
• Lite snacks or special dietary food 
• Electronics and cell phone chargers
• Change of clothing
• Toiletries 

Cots, pillows and blankets will be available, but depending on the number of people that need to be accommodated there may not be enough for everyone. Shoreline communities are getting the majority of the commodity supplies from the state due to the fact that the storm is expected to hit shoreline communities hardest.

The Town and the Board of Education are working together to provide bagged lunches for people who need shelter, but it is advisable to bring snacks and special dietary needed food for you and your family. 

The shelter will accept pets only on the following conditions:

Owners must provide proof of current vaccinations and license, food, medications, carry case for small pets. Pets are kenneled in a separate area of the shelter. Pets are monitored by our Animal Control personnel.

The shelter will be accessed from the northern side of the building, closest to the Hamden Plaza, through either set of doors and residents will be asked to register upon entry.

-- All town government meetings are cancelled Monday, including the Legislative Council's committee meetings. 

-- There will be no refuse and recycling pick-ups on Monday and Tuesday due to Hurricane Sandy.

Residents with Monday and Tuesday pick-ups should put their refuse/recycling at the curb for a Wednesday pick-up on Oct. 31 by 6 a.m.

From Wednesday on, there will be a one day delay, which means regular Wednesday pick-ups will be picked up on Thursday morning; Regular Thursday pick-ups will put their refuse/recycling out for Friday morning pick-up; Regular Friday pick-up will put their refuse/recycling out for Saturday morning pick-up.

-- Due to Hurricane Sandy, the Hamden High School Mainstage Ensemble's production of Two Gentlemen Of Verona has been rescheduled for Thursday, Nov. 8, Friday, Nov. 9, and Saturday, Nov. 10 at 7:30 p.m. 

Ticket reservations will be transferred to the same night of the new week unless ticket holders contact the box office to make a change. 

The box office may be contacted by phone (203) 407-2040 x3102 or via email: hhsmainstage@yahoo.com. 

-- Find all of Hamden Patch's Hurricane Sandy coverage here.