No power, no communication a problem for town officials

Branford, Conn. (WTNH) - Officials from most of the shoreline towns East of New Haven told Senator Richard Blumenthal Thursday that they are not pleased at the pace of power restoration.

Some towns in that area were still at 80 to 90 percent without power, including the Route 1 area of Guilford. Communication with residents is a problem because so many people have discontinued land-line phone service that reverse 9-1-1 is not effective in reaching them.

State Sen. Ed Meyer of Guilford said "CL&P relied on a company in Canada, Quebec Hydro, which did not come through. It was very bad planning and I think we're going to look at some legislative standards for our utilities so this doesn't happen again."

At their meeting, Eastern Shoreline town leaders said they were grateful for more utility line crews, but are angered because crews are not working all night.

Sen. Richard Blumenthal urged residents to report Irene property damage information to their Town Hall. That will help with the application for federal disaster funds.

"People should keep records and submit that information to their town or city or the state because every bit of information is important to Connecticut receiving its fair share," Blumenthal said.

Representatives from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) were looking at damage in East Lyme, Waterford and Groton.