Eversource Logo thumbnail square 7-4-16

Eversource Announces Its CT Tree-Trimming Program for 2017

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Working closely with community leaders and tree wardens throughout Connecticut, Eversource’s team of licensed arborists has developed a well thought-out tree trimming plan for 2017 that carefully balances the need for electric reliability while maintaining community aesthetics.  

— an announcement from Eversource

In an effort to reduce tree-related power outages, the company will invest $75 million this year pruning trees that threaten the electric system and the reliable delivery of power for customers. Eversource will be trimming trees along more than 4,200 miles of overhead lines around the state.  With the lasting effects of the recent drought continuing to plague the region, identifying and removing hazardous drought-stressed trees remains a top priority this year for Eversource arborists. “While we have a comprehensive tree trimming and removal program, the lack of rain and snow in the region over the past year-plus has taken a toll on trees and managing them is even more vital than ever,” said Sean Redding, Manager of Vegetation Management at Eversource.

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Drought Forum Monday Morning in Stamford with Jayme Stevenson, Other Area Government Leaders

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Landscapers and others who use water outdoors will be particularly interested in an upcoming drought forum with local government leaders, including First Selectman Jayme Stevenson, and officials from the state Department of Public Health and Aquarion, starting 9 a.m. Monday, March 6 in Stamford. Here’s the announcement:

Mayor David Martin, and First Selectmen Peter Tesei, Jayme Stevenson and Robert Mallozzi will be hosting a drought forum with Aquarion and Department of Public Health water officials on Monday, March 6, 2017. The meeting will be held at UConn Stamford beginning at 9 a.m.
Mayor Martin and First Selectmen Tesei, Stevenson and Mallozzi have been meeting with Aquarion and state water officials frequently since the water emergency was declared in August 2016. Priorities for each town will be discussed at the forum. Mayor Martin has invited irrigation companies to attend the meeting on Monday as one of Stamford’s priorities.

Dripping Faucet Angelo Gonzalez

Water Restrictions Due to Drought Ease a Bit for Darien, Nearby Towns

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As a result of a new request by the Aquarion Water Company, the Connecticut Department of Public Health (DPH) has issued a second water supply emergency order in Darien, Greenwich, New Canaan and Stamford. ___________
— an announcement from Aquarion Water Co. ___________
This is in accordance with Connecticut General Statute 25-32b allowing DPH to make this declaration. This new order helps increase the likelihood of refilling the Greenwich and Stamford reservoir systems. As of Feb. 17, the Greenwich system was approximately 68 percent full, while the Stamford system measured 61 percent full.

Eversource Outage Map 02-13-17

With High Winds, a Higher Possibility of Power Outages in Darien

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Are you prepared if your power goes out today? Winds are gusting, and there have been scattered power outages in nearby cities and towns. This article will be updated as more information comes in. Update, 3:35 p.m.:

Latest on area outages, from Eversource — numbers of customers without power:

Darien — 15 customers
Stamford — 515
New Canaan — 1
Norwalk (partly covered by Eversource) — 82
Greenwich — 827
Wilton — 209
Westport — 91
Weston — 126

Update, 3:30 p.m.:

Metro-North says the New Haven Line is now operating on or close to schedule. Update, 1:55 p.m.:

Metro-North announced at 1:04 p.m.: “New Haven Line service is currently experiencing delays of 20-30 minutes due to a tree in the wires in the vicinity of Old Greenwich.  Please listen for announcements at your station.”

Darien High School Entrance at Night 02-13-17

Darien Schools on a Two-Hour Delay, Wind Advisory Issued for Area

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Darien Public Schools, like other school districts in the area and some private schools, have announced a two-hour delay in the start of today’s school day, the district has announced. _________

— This article will be updated as more information comes in about any Darien or nearby weather delays or closings. _________

LIST OF AREA DELAYS
These schools or other institutions are delayed two hours Monday morning, unless otherwise noted:

Holly Pond School will open at 10 a.m., the Darien YMCA announced. St. Luke’s School in New Canaan is on a 90-minute delay
New Canaan Country School
Norwalk Community College
University of Connecticut campuses across the state will open at 10 a.m.

There are two-hour delays for New Canaan, Norwalk, Westport, Wilton and Weston public schools as well.

Darien Public Schools

Opening Time: Darien Schools on a Two-Hour Delay Friday Morning [UPDATES]

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Update: 8:46 p.m.: Darien Public Schools have announced that when they open Friday, they’ll be on a two-hour delay. Here’s the full text of the announcement on the school district website:
The Darien Public Schools will have a 2 hour delay for February 10, 2017. The Board of Education Budget Committee meeting scheduled for 8 a.m. has been postponed.  

Update 9:31 p.m.: The Darien YMCA will be open starting at 5 a.m., Friday. Here’s their announcement (via email):

Our facility will open at 5am with fitness programs as scheduled.

NWS Darien weather forecast image 01-31-17

Snow Cancellations: Board of Ed Hearing Postponed, Schools Dismissed Early, P&Z Will Meet [Continual Updates]

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School’s out early in Darien on an early dismissal schedule, the school district announced, and no after-school activities will take place today, Tuesday. Snow is expected after 1 p.m., according to the National Weather Service. UPDATE, 12:10 p.m. — The Board of Education has postponed the public hearing on the budget, scheduled for tonight, to  7:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 2, 2017 at Town Hall, according to the Darien Public Schools website (home page announcement). Editorial
HERE’S WHY THIS ARTICLE ONLY CAME OUT AT 8:06 A.M., WELL AFTER THE ANNOUNCEMENT WAS POSTED:

The school district doesn’t announce its school closures or early dismissals to news organizations.

Anton Croos Water Sprinkler Wikimedia Commons 8-18-16

Aquarion: Please Don’t Water Lawns Thru Sunday — We Need to Conserve Water

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Aquarion Water Company, working in cooperation with town and city officials in Greenwich, Stamford, New Canaan and Darien, is encouraging its customers to conserve water by not watering lawns through this Sunday, Aug. 21, due to the recent rain. Customers are also urged to limit lawn irrigation to a maximum of twice a week (any two days) for the remainder of the season.  This applies to irrigation systems, hose-end sprinklers, and soaker hoses, while use of a hand-held hoses for watering is acceptable at any time. Aquarion will be reminding customers about water conservation with automated phone calls as well. “We are asking our customers in Greenwich, Stamford, New Canaan and Darien to continue to conserve water and reduce non-essential outdoor water use,” said Charles V. Firlotte, Aquarion President and CEO.

Aquarion Logo

Aquarion Water Company Asks Customers: Please Conserve Water

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With a lack of significant rainfall, and as a result of the Connecticut Department of Public Health’s advisory for water conservation, Aquarion Water Company is asking its customers to conserve water and reduce non-essential outdoor water use. Connecticut is currently experiencing conditions ranging from “abnormally dry” to “moderate drought” due to an extended dry spell, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). With below average rainfall and extremely high water demand compared to the same period last year, Aquarion’s reservoirs and wells are below normal capacity. __________
— an announcement Thursday from Aquarion Water Company
__________
As a result, Aquarion is requesting customers reduce outdoor water use by limiting lawn irrigation to a maximum of twice a week (customers can select any two days) if they are using an irrigation system or hose-end sprinkler. Use of a hand-held hose for watering is allowed at any time.

Darien Police Station

Tree Falls on House During Wind Storm

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A tree and power lines fell on the roof of a West Avenue house during the windy, nighttime storm last Wednesday, police said. The storm caused power outages in Darien and across the state. After receiving a call at 10:54 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 24, Darien police arrived to find a large part of a tree resting on the house at 400 West Ave. Wires torn from a utility pole were on the street.

Power Restored: Only One Customer Without It in Darien [Updates]

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Update 11:48 p.m.:

Only one customer in Darien remains without power as of 11:32 a.m., according to Eversource — a normal number. As many as 657 were without power as of 11:30 p.m. Wednesday, according to the utility. Update 10:26 a.m.:

As of 10:17 a.m. there were still 75 customers without power in Darien, Eversource reports. Update 7:08 a.m.:

Darien police announced in a tweet: “Middlesex Rd. remains closed to traffic between Ox Ridge Lane and Saddle Ridge Rd.

Schools Dismissed Early, Events Cancelled Due to Expected Snow [Continual Updates]

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Darien Public Schools will close early Tuesday because of expected snow. The Board of Education is also canceling its meeting scheduled for tonight, and some Darien YMCA events are cancelled, others are still scheduled. This article will be updated as more information comes in. Stamford and Norwalk schools are also closing early, according to the WFSB-TV website, which has the most extensive list of weather closings from around the state. Darien Public Schools announcement
Here’s the school district’s announcement:

Due to a recent change in the weather forecast, a decision has been made for an early afternoon dismissal for today, February 23, 2016.

Pipes 2-16-17

Cold, Temperature Change Bursts Pipes Around Town

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Three apartments at Avalon Darien were evacuated when a pipe on one end of the building burst in the cold weather at about 8 p.m. on Sunday. It was only one incident among several reports of burst pipes that day and the next. A steady flow of water was coming out the side of Building 17 at the apartment complex at 137 Hollow Tree Ridge Road, according to a police report. Firefighters from Noroton Heights Fire Department went to the scene. A closer examination of the leak couldn’t be made because the water had caused so much damage that the integrity of the ceiling was in doubt, police said.

Aquarion

Water Main Break on Mansfield Avenue Near Mansfield Place

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A water main has broken on Mansfield Avenue, causing police to block the road near its intersection with Mansfield Place and detour traffic. Police announced the detour at 5:25 p.m. in a tweet on Twitter. The water main is under repair, but that and icy conditions caused the detour, police said. The intersection of Mansfield Avenue and Mansfield Place is about a third of a mile north of Royle School and two-thirds of a mile south of the entrance to Country Club of Darien. On Jan.

NWS forecast 2-13-16

National Weather Service Issues ‘Special Weather Statement’ About the Cold

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The National Weather Service issued this regional “Special Weather Statement” Saturday morning along with a “Wind Chill Warning.” The statement lists various dangers in unusually frigid weather for people, pets, houses and cars. Some of it is obvious, but even that is worth remembering. Please don’t get distracted, and pay attention: It’s different out there. Here’s the statement, followed by the Darien-specific weather forecast from the National Weather Service:
435 AM EST SAT FEB 13 2016

…DANGEROUSLY COLD WIND CHILLS TONIGHT INTO SUNDAY MORNING…