Community Corner

Updated: Fall Storm Notes for Monday

Trick or Treating will go on in East Hampton and Portland.

7 p.m. update:

The East Hampton shelter at the high school will close at 8 p.m. Residents who would like overnight shelter are invited to go to Portland High School, 95 High St., which will be open all night. Those wanting to stay at Portland High School should bring their own toiletries and bedding, and are asked to register by 9 p.m.

East Hampton High School will reopen on Tuesday at 6 a.m. On Monday, several boxes of Meals Ready to Eat (MREs) were delivered to the East Hampton shelter.

Find out what's happening in East Hampton-Portlandwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Business was returning to normal in Portland on Monday. J&J News said this morning they were having some computer and lottery connection issues but otherwise things were steady. Dunkin Donuts, Dairy Queen and Eggs Up were all open and very busy. Lines at gas stations in both towns continued into the evening.

On Portland side streets, people were clearing branches and trying to bear up under trying circumstances, uncertain when power, and with it heat and hot water, would be restored.

Find out what's happening in East Hampton-Portlandwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

According to First Selectwoman Susan Bransfield, general work locations for Connecticut Light & Power crews and town crews on Monday included Collins Hill, Jobs Pond, Pepperidge Road, Glastonbury Turnpike, Main Street, Rose Hill, Old Marlborough Turnpike and Isinglass Hill. These are general locations and priorities could have changed during the day. Restoration estimates are not available. However, there has not been damage to transmission lines feeding Portland.

 

Original story:


Trick or Treating will go on in East Hampton and Portland on Monday.

Parents are asked to use discretion in deciding whether to take their children out and to use caution if they do. Many areas have downed or hanging power lines. Trick or Treating should take place in lit areas.

Portland First Selectwoman Susan Bransfield does not recommend it because of the downed wires and limbs on the sidewalks and on the streets.

"I'm going to be issuing a very strong warning to parents to avoid Trick or Treating tonight," Bransfield said. "While I don't have the authority to cancel Trick or Treating, I certainly have the responsibility to inform parents of the necessity for real careful consideration."

As a safe - and fun alternative - Portland is having a "Trunk or Treat."

Trunk or Treat will be held at Portland Town Hall, 33 E. Main St., from 5 p.m. to 6:30 pm. Children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Kids can "trick or treat" from parked car to parked car.

"I thought it was kind of a clever, safe idea," Bransfield said.

Parents should bring candy to pass out and a flashlight.

In East Hampton, the annual Pumpkintown Parade will be held as scheduled at Paul's and Sandy's, Too on Route 66. Party starts at 3:30 p.m. and parade will start at 4 p.m.

East Hampton has opened a shelter at the high school from noon to 8 p.m. on Monday for a warm area, showers and charging stations. A decision has not been made as to whether the shelter will remain open overnight. The East Hampton Public Library also is open till 8 p.m.

Portland continues to operate its shelter out of the high school and it will again be open all night.

Residents can shower, get water, charge electronics, get warm and spend the night if they wish. Cots are available. Bransfield reminds residents to bring their own toiletries and bedding.

"It's working very well," Bransfield said. "We have a lot of citizen volunteers and they're doing a nice job and everybody is comfortable."

There was a little scare at Portland High on Monday.

"There was a slight oder of propane gas and it turned out that the vent on the roof need to be cleared, Bransfield said. "That's been taken care of."

Portland Town Offices are closed, but by Monday afternoon power had been restored to that part of town and the offices will be open on Tuesday.

Portland and East Hampton have announced that there will be no school on Tuesday.

As of 1:30 p.m., 3,826 customers (83 percent) are without power in Portland; 2,270 (37 percent) in East Hampton. Statewide, more than 750,000 Connecticut Light & Power customers are without power.

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