Mayor Joseph Maturo, Jr. this morning hosted a 90 minute storm preparation meeting with Town officials and representatives from the local utilities to discuss preparations and actions which may become necessary in the event East Haven is affected by unpredictable Hurricane Joaquin. In addition to the leadership of several of the Town’s Departments (Fire, Police & Public Services, Building and Zoning ), representatives from the United Illuminating Company, Greater New Haven WPCA, East Shore District Health and Senator Len Fasano’s office also in attendance.

The Mayor received updates from each sector of preparations of the last couple of days, some of the highlights of which:

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[naviga:li]Mayor discussed at length the flood prone areas of the Shoreline; Farm River affected areas (High Ridge) and the important intersection of Short Beach and Coe Avenue, with respect to having vehicles available for emergencies and to transport residents if it becomes necessary.[/naviga:li]

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[naviga:li]If it becomes necessary, the UI will have Municipal Liaisons stationed in East Haven’s EOC (Emergency Operations Center), once the center is officially opened. The Liaison will work throughout the storm response with Town officials to coordinate their “Make Safe” crews, which is critical to getting streets opened for emergency access. In addition the company will be initially getting all Tier 1 priority locations back on line in the town and will then move to Tier 2 locations. As with past events, UI will be lining up mutual assistance crews to assist them in their efforts if there are widespread power outages.[/naviga:li]

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[naviga:li]GNHWPCA has been working feverishly to have all generators ready to go and to have spare generators and pumps for pump stations and will also have a liaison in the EOC as needed. Resident emergency tel: 203-466-5260[/naviga:li]

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[naviga:li]Fire Chief and Emergency Manager Doug Jackson and Police Chief Brent Larrabee and their staffs have been coordinating with each of their staffs and with each other, to ensure the ability to move their line staffs in to areas that may be affected the most.[/naviga:li]

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[naviga:li]Public Services has been working on getting equipment ready along with clean out catch basin tops, trimming trees as much as possible, preparing traffic barricades for placement as needed and ordering sand for sand bags.[/naviga:li]

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[naviga:li]AT & T will be contacted by Senator Fasano’s office to secure a satellite phone service truck in place (especially at the shore) if and when it becomes needed following the storm.[/naviga:li]

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[naviga:li]Fire Department has prepped all generators and begun making plans to obtain the necessary items that will be needed if and when the Town will open its Emergency Shelter which will be located at East Haven High School.

Residents are reminded that pets are welcome to the shelter but they must be on a leash and have pet carriers along with their own food and pet supplies. In addition the department has reserved additional emergency light towers which will be deployed if needed following the storm.[/naviga:li][/naviga:ul][naviga:ul][naviga:li]Building Official Jim Bassett has spent extended time at the shore working with individual homeowners to ensure property owners secure their existing property, especially with respect to those still in active construction stage.[/naviga:li][/naviga:ul][naviga:ul][naviga:li]Fire Chief and Emergency Management Director Doug Jackson and the Mayor will be monitoring the situation with rising tides and the Farm River during this weekend and into next week, when Joaquin is anticipated to be the closest to the area.[/naviga:li][/naviga:ul][naviga:ul][naviga:li]Mayor reminds residents that all the latest Town Emergency News will be on the Town’s new website:  

www.townofeasthavenct.org[/naviga:li][/naviga:ul]

Mayor Maturo emphasized ”that while it still may be premature to talk specifically about evacuations, that all residents along the shore and in very flood prone areas, should begin to have plans in place as to places where they could relocate with family and friends in the event it is necessary to do so. In addition while the major effects of the storm is not expected until possibly Monday, all homeowners should be prepared by securing all loose furniture, signs, decorations, etc. and of course to have the supplies necessary in the event of an extended power outage. All items that are not tied down, including bulk trash and trash pails, should be moved indoors or secured, if possible. Since a prolonged heavy rain event, which can occur even if the Hurricane does not directly affect us, could affect the entire town, I would like homeowners to assist Public Service crews by cleaning the tops of the storm drains in the immediate vicinity of your home. Your town government is doing everything possible to be as prepared as we can for the events of this weekend and the possibility of this storm affecting us early next week, we ask you for your help and cooperation during this event”, Mayor concluded.

Depending on the weather this weekend and the track of the hurricane, The Mayor will be meeting with his department heads and the UI, possibly during the weekend to discuss more specific decisions of coordinated action which may become necessary as the storm effects approach. Should it become necessary, The Mayor and the Emergency Manager, Fire Chief Doug Jackson will issue automated emergency call messages to be sent to residents in specific areas of the town with area specific information that each resident should know.  Once again the latest Town emergency information can be found on the Town’s website:  www.townofeasthavenct.org

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Frank Gentilesco, Assistant Director of Administration & Management

Tel:      (203) 468-3371           cell:      (203) 627-0602           email:  eh.gentilesco@att.net