Gilbert: CL&P Didn't Follow Town's Plan

Town Manager Barbara Gilbert was upset for several reasons Wednesday afternoon, and none of those reasons had anything to do with the fact that she does not have power.

Gilbert, along with several other town managers and mayors, is frustrated that Connecticut Light and Power didn't follow the town's power-restoration prioritization plan. The town developed the plan at the request of CL&P to help direct the company's efforts to restore power to the areas of town with the most acute need.

But the town's plan was not followed from the start, Gilbert said. She said the information was passed along to CL&P, but was not utilized. And now, several top priorities on the town's list remain without power.

Gilbert also said she believes the power in two neighborhoods in town was restored quickly because CL&P employees live in them. She didn't elaborate on that sentiment.

Some residents have been critical of the plodding pace of power restoration and have blamed the town. A blog posted early today was upset with Gilbert over an that the town was "flying by the seat of its pants." The blog felt the town should have been better prepared for the situation.

"I've been too busy," Gilbert responded when asked if she read the blog.

Gilbert, along with the mayor and several council members, remain without power and could be without it for days. She said CL&P is now following the town's plan and the town is "doing the best they can for its residents."

"I would like to see someone do better." 

The town's plan would have started with the Silas Deane Highway from the Wethersfield to Cromwell town lines. The Silas Deane Highway would have gotten power back first because there are several businesses, gas stations, restaurants, senior housing and large apartment complexes in that area.

The plan called for Century Hills to be restored next because it has the highest concentration of people in town and has many high-rise buildings that require 24-hour monitoring. 

The remainder of Route 3 and the West Street area would have been done next. This area has several apartment complexes, large businesses such as Burris Logistics and hotels where many of the utility workers are staying. 

The middle portion of town, where many single-family homes are located, would have been the final area restored.

Eight Hydro-Québec trucks along with CL&P are currently in town working on restoring power, Gilbert said. There are 4,196 CL&P customers, or 43% of the town, still without power.