East Haven storm status update

EAST HAVEN, Conn. (WTNH)-- The Mayor's office in East Haven has issued a storm status update.

The following is the statement released:

The Town of East Haven announced today (Thursday) that tremendous progress has been made in getting the roads opened and passable for vehicles and school bus traffic.  Following what has been deemed one of the largest snow events in the past 100 years, Maturo explained, "I am glad to be releasing what hopefully is our final update and to report that Town crews are continuing to work diligently to make streets as wide as possible and to improve the sight lines at intersections."

During the last couple of days, private contractors have been released to the Board of Education to assist in their efforts to get the schools reopened, which took place this morning. BOE Superintendent Anthony Serio has informed the Town that our bus company reported that this morning's opening of schools went well and that any minor issues which may have arisen are being immediately addressed by our Town crews.

The Board of Education announced that schools will be on break Monday and Tuesday and will resume next Wednesday.  As a result, Mayor Maturo is asking all residents to work toward clearing their sidewalks of snow by that day.

Maturo explained, "I am sensitive to the amount of snow that is still on sidewalks across Town.  However, it is important that we all continue to pitch in and make our sidewalks safe for our children as many need to walk to the school bus stops and are being picked up or dropped off at these locations."

Maturo continued, "Our administration made the decision at the beginning of the cleanup that no expense would be spared in ensuring the safety of the residents.  To that end, the hiring of private contractors to supplement town forces was an extremely expensive proposition at almost $35,000 per day.  However, because the Town was proactive, a semblance of normalcy has returned to our streets, allowing businesses to open and residents to get to their regular routines."

Maturo explained, "Although this was an extremely long and stressful time for our emergency services departments, the Town's Public Services Department deserves our gratitude for dealing with this monster storm in a professional and dedicated manner.  A blizzard of this magnitude not been seen in over 100 years.  Neither the State nor any municipality could ever be completely prepared for an event like we just endured.  Reflecting on the daunting challenge we faced, I am pleased with our response under very trying conditions. People have never seen five inches of snow falling an hour. It's simply impossible to get that kind of snow ... and to keep up with it." Maturo said.

Maturo ended his address by thanking the residents, for both their patience and their assistance in the cleanup.  Maturo explained, "Above all, I thank our residents for their patience and their hard work throughout the cleanup process.  Many residents took it upon themselves to pitch in to clear streets and dig out infirm neighbors.  It was an impressive display of selflessness and solidarity.  Although I wish that residents didn't have to end up helping with the cleanup effort, I am grateful that they did.  They showed that together, our community can triumph in even the most difficult circumstances."

Maturo also concluded by thanking Gov. Dannel P. Malloy for sending the National Guard to help and to David McDermott Auto Group for their generosity during and after the storm.

Upon the conclusion of the statement, the Town provided the following updated closure information:
· Due to the continuing snow removal efforts, the East Haven Landfill will be CLOSED this Friday and Saturday; it will reopen on Friday February 22nd and Saturday February 23rd;

· All Town Departments and Buildings are now open for regular business; HOWEVER, RESIDENTS ARE REMINDED THAT THEY WILL BE CLOSED NEXT MONDAY IN OBSERVANCE OF "PRESIDENT'S DAY";

· SCHOOLS WILL BE OPEN THIS FRIDAY; THEY WILL BE CLOSED MONDAY AND TUESDAY AND REOPEN ON WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 20th  FOR THE BALANCE OF THAT WEEK;

· TRASH/RECYCLING COLLECTIONS DID RESUME ON WEDNESDAY; REGULAR COLLECTIONS WILL CONTINUE NEXT WEEK WITH NO DELAY FOR THE HOLIDAY.

Any town or city officials who would like to submit a storm status update to News 8, can do so by sending them to webproducer@wtnh.com.