First Selectman Natalie Ketcham welcomed the Connecticut Light & Power representatives by saying, “The subject of power restoration needs illumination.” But after starting their storm preparedness presentation, the officials were interrupted by harsh cries from residents, mostly from West Redding, where the outages were longer than in other areas of town.
Dominic Scerbo, a CL&P account executive, explained how power is distributed through substations and circuits. But West Redding residents asked why their neighborhood lacked sufficient coverage. Scerbo welcomed the criticism, saying he would speak with other CL&P officials about adding circuits in West Redding.
Residents called for a plan to improve the situation and called for lower rates.
Robert Moran, a Redding resident, said he lost power for a week after Sandy but wasn’t highly critical of CL&P. The utility performed better after Hurricane Sandy than after Irene, he said.
“We’re in a situation where global warming produces monster storms,” he said. “Can you really prepare for storms like Sandy? Global warming is really scary, and it’s going to get worse.”
Click here to follow Daily Voice Westport and receive free news updates.