In Canton, Power Restoration Efforts Resume Wednesday [Updated 3:49 p.m.]

Updated Wednesday at 3:49 p.m. 

Chief Administrative Officer Robert Skinner said he does not have restoration estimates for those who remain without power but said there were two Connecticut Light and Power crews in Canton Wednesday afternoon. 

While a phone message at Connecticut Light and Power tells customers to check with town officials for restoration estimates, Skinner said the town does not direct that in any way. The town does give the utility its priority list and works closely with them on cleanup efforts, Skinner said.

Major town facilities, such as schools and the community center, are on line but CL&P will determine the best course of action from here, officials said. 

At noon, CL&P estimated that 9 percent or 448 of its 4,939 Canton customers were without power. By 3:51 p.m., the estimate was down to 424 customers, or 8 percent. Shortly after 12:15 a.m. Thursday, the number was 376 customers, or 7 percent. 

While town streets are passable, the town's Department of Public Works will continue cleaning today and likely tomorrow, Skinner added. 

Skinner added that he is pleased with the way that Department, Police and the town of Canton Volunteer Fire and EMS Department worked the storm. 

"All the town services pulled together," he said. 

While a few streets were hit hard, all in all the town fared well. 

"Obviously we were spared as compared to the coast," Skinner said. 

Updated Wednesday, 9:08 a.m. 

Although officials cautioned residents that power restoration would likely stall overnight, Connecticut Light and Power estimates have improved since 7:30 p.m. Tuesday. Then, an estimated 15 percent of Canton customers were without power. At 8 a.m., the utility estimated 447, or 9 percent, of its 4,939 Canton customers were in the dark. 

Power can fluctuate as systems are brought online or additional problems found, officials said. 

Also school is in session. Tuesday night, a remaining closed status on a TV station web site and other rumors led to much confusion. 

The town of Canton has also issued the following reminders and updates. 

• Still out of power and your neighbors have power? Call CL&P again at 800-286-2000 or via your hand held device on cl-p.com/StormCenter. 
• Significant progress was made in clearing and powering up Canton neighborhoods last night.  CL&P continues to work to restore every home in town.  All roads are clear and the Department of Public Works will be out today chipping and clearing what they cut yesterday.  There will be no curbside pickup of brush/trees. 
• Showers at Mills Pond Pool House will continue to be open from 6:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. until further notice.  Residents must bring their own toiletries/towels.
• The Transfer Station is open with normal hours. Fees will be waived for brush and tree debris from the storm through this Saturday, Nov. 3.
• Town Hall and the Senior Center are both open today with regular hours, business and programming.
• The Community Center is open with normal hours and continues to be a charging station for those without power.
• The Emergency Operations Center is in a closed status.  Issues will be managed remotely by EOM management.
• In-person voter registration deadline for the November 6th Election has been extended to Nov. 1. Call 860-693-7839 or 860-693-7870 for more information.
• Tonight is Halloween. Please proceed with caution as you trick or treat through your neighborhood as there may be small amounts of brush in the roads and on people's property.  Check out Halloween Safety Tips from the Canton Police Department.

Original story

Canton officials expect remaining power restoration efforts to resume Wednesday.

"We want people to know we don't expect any serious restoration efforts to begin until tomorrow," First Selectman Richard Barlow said Tuesday evening. 

But there was some good news Tuesday night when power was restored to some of the Dyer Avenue area, including Canton Intermediate and Canton High schools. As of Tuesday night, superintendent Kevin Case said schools were in session for Wednesday.  

As of 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Connecticut Light and Power Crews estimated that 761, or 15 percent of its 4,939 Canton customers remained without power. At 9:46 p.m., it was down to an estimated 703 without power. 

There were CL&P crews in town Tuesday but Barlow said making the roadways safe and passable took most of the day. 

One challenge for the area is that the bulk of crews are working along the shoreline, which was affected much more by the storm. There are only a limited number working from Simsbury's CL&P work center, which services Avon, Simsbury, Canton, Granby, East Granby, Bloomfield, Farmington and West Hartford, Barlow said. 

Still the power numbers were improved over 5 p.m. Tuesday when CL&P estimated 1,235 or 25 percent of Canton customers without power. 

Most Canton roads, except one small section of Breezy Hill, should be passable, officials said. 

Barlow also said he did not see any reason to delay trick or treating. 

"Right now I don't see any reason to postpone it," he said. 

The town has also waived brush and tree debris disposal fees at the transfer station through Saturday. Proof of residency is required. 

In addition, the town is offering showers at the Mills Pond Recreation Center from 6:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. beginning Wednesday, Oct. 31.  Residents must bring their own toiletries/towels. The showers will remain open until further notice.

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