Community Corner
Simsbury Storm Central: Crews Still On the Job, Town Offers Warming Centers
Schools Closed Friday.
Update 10:30 a.m. Friday
Public Works Crews are still on the road but the virtual absence of traffic late Thursday and early this morning was a plus, department director Tom Roy said.
"It really helped them do their jobs," he said.
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Late Friday morning the roads were better than Thursday, he said but cautioned, that due to the temperatures some snowy spots will remain and asked drivers to use caution.
Today crews are scraping roads and will likely put another layer of salt out. They will likely be out until 2 or 3 p.m. and will hopefully get a full-day's rest before potentially be needed back on Sunday, Roy said.
Find out what's happening in Simsburywith free, real-time updates from Patch.
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Update 5 a.m. Friday
Simsbury public schools are closed Friday, according to the district Web site. The Master's School campus is also closed.
Earlier story
Due to the extreme cold temperatures, the Town of Simsbury has also opened two Warming Centers for residents.
Simsbury Public Library
725 Hopmeadow Street
860 658-7663
Hours: Thursday, 9:30 AM – 4:30 PM
Friday, 9:30 AM – 5:30
Saturday, 9:30 AM – 5:30 PM
Sunday. 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Eno Memorial Hall
754 Hopmeadow Street
860 658-3273
Hours: Thursday and Friday, 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM
For further information, call the Simsbury Social Services Department at (860) 658-3283. Anyone who has lost power and needs immediate assistance can call police at (860) 658-3100.
Earlier posts
The Thursday snow is causing some disruptions in Simsbury.
As of noon, emergency officials had responded to two one-car crashes, including an early morning incident in which a car veered off the road at Great Pond and Old Farms, hitting a pole and hydrant. Later in the morning, another operator lost control of a vehicle on Notch Road, ending up with the car up the embankment and on its side. Fortunately there were no serious injuries in either case, said Jim Baldis, chief of the Simsbury Volunteer Fire Company.
Thomas Roy, director of Public Works, is urging people to stay off the roads as much as possible.
"The more people that can stay off the roads is better for us and everyone else," he said.
Roy is especially concerned with tonight when blowing and falling snow, combined with cold temperatures could be a dangerous combination if someone were to get in an accident or stranded.
"It's a scary recipe," Roy said.
Baldis urged drivers to take extra caution and take measures such as allowing for increased stopping distances.
The Volunteer Fire Company also took precautions before the storm and is preparing for heavier snow with tire chains and other measures.
Around town, the snow is affecting activities.
In addition to an early closing at Simsbury Public Schools, other activities are being canceled or altered, including:
- Canceled Historic District Commission meeting that had been slated for 7:30 p.m.
- Crossfit Simsbury is closing at 6 p.m. and has delayed its first Friday class until 9 p.m.
- All afternoon and evening school activities
- (Is your business affected? Tell us in the comments or at https://www.facebook.com/SimsburyPatch
The National Weather Service is predicting the snow will pick up after 1 p.m. with for a total of 3 to 7 inches today. More snow will fall overnight, according to the service.
Public Works Crews have been out since 1 a.m., Roy said. There are 12 mainline plow routes that cover the 164 miles of road in town but during a storm like this the town can put out 3 to 5 trucks to follow and assist those on the main routes, he said.
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