Mayor Asks For Patience As Clean-Up Continues

A statement from Berlin Mayor Adam Salina

We are reaching out to residents and businesses in Berlin to ask for their patience and understanding during the cleanup from this unprecedented storm. Similar to other towns in the area, Berlin experienced snowfall amounts in excess of 25-30" as measured by the Highway Department. Even though we continued to plow throughout the night on Friday and early Saturday morning, many roads remain impassable and are not open for travel. We are working to restore all roadways in Town to at least single lane travel with the immediate focus on major arterial and collector roads.

With that said, we have begun to mobilize additional resources of outside contractors with specialized equipment to assist us in removing snow from roadways and cul-de-sacs. This operation will take time to complete and we ask residents to be patient and courteous to our snowplow drivers and equipment operators as they have been working tirelessly throughout the night and will continue to do until all roads are cleared.

Here are a few key points that we would like to highlight for our residents:

1. The Governor has ordered all State AND local roads to remain closed to any traffic other than emergency vehicles until further notice.

2. A parking ban has been in effect since late Thursday night and will remain so until further notice.  Even after the traffic ban is lifted by the Governor, the Town may still keep a parking ban in effect.  Bans are posted on the radio and Television news stations.

3. Residents are asked to be aware that plow drivers will need to clear snow numerous times from Town streets. As residents clear sidewalks and driveway aprons it's likely these areas will be unintentionally re-covered with snow.  We request residents be courteous, professional and respective of our Town plow drivers who have been working hard throughout the night and continue to do so during the day today and tomorrow.

4. We are requesting that residents be conscious of fire hydrants that are covered with snow in front of their properties.  Fire hydrants that are buried and not visible are a serious hazard in hampering the efforts of our volunteer fire department to battling fires.  We request that you or your snowplow contractor expose the hydrants when clearing your driveways or sidewalks.  If you are unable to locate or remove snow from in front of hydrants, the three Water Districts in Town will start clearing on Monday February 11th.

5. Many catch basins and storm drains will be covered by snow and possibly ice from cold weather expected. With rain predicted for Monday we are asking residents while removing snow to pay attention to storm drains and catch basins as well.

6. When cleaning snow in front of your mailboxes we are requesting resident to clear as much snow in front of their yards as well to help facilitate snow cleanup operations.  With snow banks in excess of 6-7 feet plowing these snow banks is usually not possible.

7. Residents who have fireplace, dryer or gas (propane) heaters are reminded to insure vents outside are free and clear of snow drifts or ice.  With snow drifts over 4 feet it's likely that vents can be blocked which cause carbon monoxide buildup to dangerous life threatening levels in a very short period of time.

The Town continues to stay informed with the Governor's office through their Emergency Operation Center and will provide updates that effect residents and businesses in Berlin as necessary until the cleanup and restoration efforts are completed.  Thank you for your patience during the time.  If you have any questions further feel free to contact the Public Works office on Monday, February 11th at 860.828.7022 or through our Town's Q Alert system under www.town.berlin.ct.us <http://www.town.berlin.ct.us/>.

Again thank you for your patience as we all work together to restore our Roads, Schools and Town properties back to normal.