This morning the intersection of South Lexington Avenue and Martine Avenue was closed off by this massive sinkhole, caused by the watermain break Monday afternoon. travel on Martine is not advised. (Photo by a White Plains CitizeNetReporter)
WPCNR THE LETTER TICKER. FROM CHRIS BURDICK, BEFORD TOWN SUPERVISOR. AUGUST 10 6 PM: 8.10 6:00pm Update
Tropical Storm Isaias and Power Outages(new information is red)
Update – Overview – Day 6 of the Outage
NYSEG power restoration virtually complete – 2 customers remain out of power.
Con Edison made substantial progress today with customers still without power down to 49, as of this writing.
I turn now to the substantial number of Optimum and Verizon customers without service. We don’t know how many, because unlike the utilities, they number of customers without service is not provided. And yes, we absolutely know that it’s not just Optimum. We are dealing with both – see below.
Con Edison We will continue to press for Con Edison to restore service as promptly as possible for all of remaining customers without service.
Internet and Cell Service – FIOS, Optimum, Verizon and Other Wireless Optimum As I mentioned in my earlier update, the conference call with Optimum senior officials this morning was of limited help (my thanks to State Senator Shelley Mayer for getting the conference call). Optimum put government relations and PR people on the call.
They had no operations people on the call. No work plan. No explanation of what crews they’ve deployed (if any) and not even a hint of ETR. They were asserting that when power is restored most people’s service would come back on, but there was no explanation of what they are doing to address line issues.
We need resources (crews), a work plan and a realistic ETR. There will be another call tomorrow morning at which time I hope I’ll have something to actually report.
The elected representatives group is working on getting automatic credits to Optimum bills – no promises, but we’re pushing.
Verizon: Senator Mayer will be asking for a similar effort with Verizon so we can give focus as well to those issues. Meanwhile, please keep the e-mail information coming. It’s very helpful.
As I mentioned for both Verizon and Optimum, I thank you for your e-mails regarding the service issues.
If you have not already done so, please e-mail Timothy Parker at tparker@bedfordny.gov who is our staff member who will continue to work nearly full time on assisting. Please provide your name, address, account number, cell number and describe the nature of the service issue (e.g., no service whatsoever, intermittent, dropped calls).
We are very actively working on this directly with government representatives. Please note that we have been advised that the Verizon/Optimum lines are below the power lines and they cannot work on them until NYSEG/Con Edison has completed its work. Workplace, Internet and Charging Facilities
Internet and Charging Stations at the Courthouse will close today at 6:00pm. We are planning to close down the Courthouse today at 6pm as there has been no one here since 4:30pm today. Service is available by sitting outside of the building. We will post the user name and pass word on the door of the Courthouse.
As for tomorrow, I will open it at 8:00 AM and will try to keep it open until 9:00 PM tomorrow night if the need is there. I am keeping this open since people don’t have internet and need to work.
ShowersBedford Hills Memorial Park poolhouse is open for showers Tuesday through Friday from 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM. Residents arriving to utilize the showers will be required to sign-in and wear a mask upon entry. We ask that showers are limited to 5 minutes in duration. We also recommend the use of footwear (flip-flops, water shoes) when taking a shower. Shower stalls and bathrooms will be disinfected/sanitized routinely during operating hours.
Pools – The pool at Bedford Hills Memorial Park are open today for regular pool hours now that power has been restored to the park. Please see below for details.
| WPCNR THE LETTER TICKER. From Bedford Town Supervisor Chris Burdick. 8.10 1:00pm UpdateTropical Storm Isaias and Power Outages(new information is red) Update – Overview – Day 6 of the Outage We believe that all safety issues have been addressed live wires or blocked streets where people can’t get in/or out and emergency services can’t reach residents. NYSEG power restoration nearly complete – 15 customers remain out of power. Biggest problems now remain Con Edison with 214 customers still without power, A substantial number of Optimum and Verizon customers are without service. We don’t know how many, because unlike the utilities, they number of customers without service is not provided. And yes, we absolutely know that it’s not just Optimum. We are dealing with both – see below. Con Edison Con Edison representative is showing a reduction in Bedford outages to 214 customers of 1053 without power. Of course the estimated time of restoration of 11 PM last night came and went. Now it is showing as “more work required”, whatever that means. I wish to thank those Con Edison residents who have e-mailed me (supervisor@bedfordny.gov) confirmation of their notification of power outage. These e-mails have been very helpful in my work with Con Edison. ALSO PLEASE REPORT TO CON EDISON YOUR OUTAGE IF YOU HAVE NOT ALREADY DONE SO. Internet and Cell Service – FIOS, Optimum, Verizon and Other Wireless There was a conference call with Optimum senior officials this morning of limited help (my thanks to State Senator Shelley Mayer for getting the conference call). We did not get the answers anticipated. We have asked for resources and answers. Senator Mayer will be asking for a similar effort with Verizon so we can give focus as well to those issues. I thank you for your e-mails regarding the service issues. If you have not already done so, please e-mail Timothy Parker at tparker@bedfordny.gov who is our staff member who will continue to work nearly full time on assisting. Please provide your name, address, account number, cell number and describe the nature of the service issue (e.g., no service whatsoever, intermittent, dropped calls). We are very actively working on this directly with government representatives. Please note that we have been advised that the Verizon/Optimum lines are below the power lines and they cannot work on them until NYSEG/Con Edison has completed its work. Workplace, Internet and Charging Facilities We will have the courtroom at the Town offices at 321 Bedford Road open as a workplace, internet and charging facility opened this morning at 8:00 AM. Additionally, wifi is accessible outside in the lobby. As noted previously, space is limited due to social distancing and you must wear a facemask or will be asked to leave. I will be try to keep it open until 9:00 PM today. ShowersBedford Hills Memorial Park poolhouse is open for showers today 3:30 to 5:00 PM and Tuesday through Friday from 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM. Residents arriving to utilize the showers will be required to sign-in and wear a mask upon entry. We ask that showers are limited to 5 minutes in duration. We also recommend the use of footwear (flip-flops, water shoes) when taking a shower. Shower stalls and bathrooms will be disinfected/sanitized routinely during operating hours. Con Ed/ DRY ICE DISTRIBUTION LOCATIONSclick image to print: |
WPCNR THE LETTER TICKER. From Greenburgh Town Supervisor Paul Feiner. August 10, 2020:
As of a half hour ago 1,300 residents of unincorporated Greenburgh were out of power. The police desk believes that an additional 200 residents of Poet’s Corner should have power back very quickly – if they don’t have power as of now.
That’s frustrating: getting very inaccurate info from Con Ed. This morning, for example, residents of the complex I reside at received a text message that our power was restored. It wasn’t. It’s not fair for a major company like Con Ed to send residents inaccurate info. This is happening all over the town.
Another complaint: The maps listing outages have wrong info. Some neighborhoods have reported that the maps claim no power outages when there are.
Estimates regarding restoration are not even close to being correct in some instances. I met someone whose power was restored a few days ago. He received a text message saying that power would be back later this week. Others have received estimates that power will be restored Tuesday, Monday and Wednesday?
How can a major company like Con Ed that has experience dealing with storms and outages handle outages for a non hurricane so poorly?
Another complaint: Con Ed did not do enough to help those with severe medical illnesses. I received calls from residents who were out of power who live with residents with brain cancer, residents staying at home (hospice). Residents who require oxygen to live or need their insulin to be kept cold. Con Ed made little effort to help them (Greenburgh police did offer assistance).
Con Ed should not make people provide receipts for food outages since most people don’t keep food receipts from supermarkets. They should provide everyone with a credit. Anyone out of power for many days lost food that they purchased.
Con Ed messed up big time, they were unprepared. They didn’t have crews ready to be of help. And people suffered. They need to be more customer friendly. And make it easier for people to get reimbursed.
PAUL FEINER
Greenburgh Town Supervisor
WPCNR THE LETTER TICKER From Greenburgh Supervisor Paul Feiner. August 10, 2020:
I just got off the phone with the police. As of 6:45 PM 1,533 people in unincorporated Greenburgh were without power. Con Ed will be working all night restoring power to residents of Greenburgh so the numbers will continue to go down.
Some people contacted me recently – they read an earlier report that Con Ed was planning to restore power to their homes and so far they have seen no crews. It’s possible that power can be restored late tonight. Con Ed hasn’t forgotten you. There was substantial damage from the storm and some of the restorations are taking time.
PLEASE REPORT HANGING WIRES TO POLICE it was very apparent that residents need to report any type of grounded or hanging wires. You can e mail dpw@greenburghny.com and copy me at pfeiner@greenburghny.com. All of which should be treated as a live wire and considered very dangerous
WE WILL PICK UP MORE DEBRIS THIS WEEK
We realize that everyone who is out of power is very stressed (an understatement). We also recognize that the forecast this week is for heat and humidity. On top of the covid months and lack of power and now residents stuck with access rotting food and damaged items, I have authorized the following:
-The organic pick up has been relaxed for the week (per Comm. Carosi)
-All extra food waste and two small items can be placed at the curb away form the our town issued cans will be picked up with “an old school pick up”
-We will try to set up dumpsters in targeted areas towards the end of the week for bulk drop off.
I have authorized overtime of DPW crew members to help expedite the service —we anticipate that FEMA will reimburse us for much of the storm related expenses
from our radio shop
Today we have the following locations on generator power:
9A @ Secor Road
N. Central Ave @ Harvard Drive
Dobbs Ferry Road @ Knollwood Road /Hartsdale Road
Tarrytown Road @ Hillside Ave ( NEW) White Plains Knows about It.
Hillside @ 287 Exit Ramp (NYSDOT Generator)
Reset Traffic Signal At White Plains Road @ IFO500/520.
Looked at the Light at White Plains Road @ Benidict But Could not get in cabinet, Notified TMC & Verde Electric to reset signal.
Installed new street light on Hillcrest Ave
Installed new street light on My Joy Ave @ Dorchester.
Refueled all generators every 3-4 Hrs all day.
Paul Feiner
Greenburgh Town Supervisor
WPCNR CORONAVIRUS REPORT. From the Governor’s Press Office. August 9, 2020:
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today updated New Yorkers on the state’s progress during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The number of new cases, percentage of tests that were positive and many other helpful data points are always available at forward.ny.gov.
“Our daily numbers remain low and steady, despite increasing infection rates across the country, and even in our region – and we had the lowest one-day positive rate since we started. That’s an incredible achievement, all thanks to the hard work of New Yorkers,” Governor Cuomo said. “New York’s progress shows that a data-driven, phased reopening works. We have followed the data since day one, and now we are an example for the rest of the country to follow. But we must not become complacent: Everyone should continue to wear their masks and socially distance.”
On Friday and Saturday, the State Liquor Authority and State Police Task Force visited 2,294 establishments in New York City and Long Island and observed 60 establishments that were not in compliance with state requirements. A county breakdown for yesterday and Friday’s observed violations is below:
Today’s data is summarized briefly below:
Of the 65,812 test results reported to New York State yesterday, 515, or 0.78 percent, were positive. Each region’s percentage of positive test results reported over the last three days is as follows:
| REGION | THURSDAY | FRIDAY | SATURDAY |
| Capital Region | 0.7% | 0.9% | 0.8% |
| Central New York | 0.8% | 0.8% | 0.7% |
| Finger Lakes | 0.8% | 0.8% | 0.9% |
| Long Island | 0.9% | 0.9% | 0.6% |
| Mid-Hudson | 0.7% | 0.7% | 0.6% |
| Mohawk Valley | 0.9% | 0.9% | 0.5% |
| New York City | 1.1% | 1.1% | 0.9% |
| North Country | 0.2% | 0.2% | 0.2% |
| Southern Tier | 1.2% | 1.2% | 0.3% |
| Western New York | 1.7% | 1.7% | 1.6% |
The Governor also confirmed 515 additional cases of novel coronavirus, bringing the statewide total to 420,860 confirmed cases in New York State. Of the 420,860 total individuals who tested positive for the virus, the geographic breakdown is as follows:
| County | Total Positive | New Positive |
| Albany | 2,595 | 14 |
| Allegany | 79 | 0 |
| Broome | 1,126 | 6 |
| Cattaraugus | 165 | 0 |
| Cayuga | 152 | 1 |
| Chautauqua | 253 | 0 |
| Chemung | 171 | 0 |
| Chenango | 216 | 1 |
| Clinton | 127 | 0 |
| Columbia | 540 | 1 |
| Cortland | 95 | 0 |
| Delaware | 105 | 0 |
| Dutchess | 4,607 | 7 |
| Erie | 8,904 | 54 |
| Essex | 55 | 0 |
| Franklin | 54 | 0 |
| Fulton | 296 | 1 |
| Genesee | 277 | 0 |
| Greene | 292 | 1 |
| Hamilton | 8 | 0 |
| Herkimer | 274 | 1 |
| Jefferson | 142 | 2 |
| Lewis | 41 | 0 |
| Livingston | 176 | 0 |
| Madison | 412 | 0 |
| Monroe | 4,956 | 34 |
| Montgomery | 176 | 4 |
| Nassau | 43,655 | 27 |
| Niagara | 1,498 | 4 |
| NYC | 227,832 | 248 |
| Oneida | 2,146 | 4 |
| Onondaga | 3,576 | 11 |
| Ontario | 360 | 3 |
| Orange | 11,159 | 3 |
| Orleans | 298 | 0 |
| Oswego | 253 | 0 |
| Otsego | 116 | 0 |
| Putnam | 1,449 | 2 |
| Rensselaer | 765 | 4 |
| Rockland | 13,942 | 6 |
| Saratoga | 757 | 2 |
| Schenectady | 1,058 | 0 |
| Schoharie | 69 | 0 |
| Schuyler | 22 | 0 |
| Seneca | 89 | 0 |
| St. Lawrence | 263 | 0 |
| Steuben | 298 | 0 |
| Suffolk | 43,786 | 37 |
| Sullivan | 1,489 | 1 |
| Tioga | 193 | 0 |
| Tompkins | 234 | 0 |
| Ulster | 2,062 | 5 |
| Warren | 308 | 0 |
| Washington | 259 | 2 |
| Wayne | 250 | 1 |
| Westchester | 36,205 | 25 |
| Wyoming | 118 | 2 |
| Yates | 57 | 1 |
Yesterday, there were 7 deaths due to COVID-19 in New York State, bringing the total to 25,202. A geographic breakdown is as follows, by county of residence:
| Deaths by County of Residence | |
| County | New Deaths |
| Bronx | 2 |
| Erie | 1 |
| Herkimer | 1 |
| Nassau | 1 |
| Queens | 1 |
| Rensselaer | 1 |
WPCNR THE LETTER TICKER. From Thomas Abinanti, Assemblyman 92nd Assembly District August 9, 2020:
“Con Edison’s response to Isaias in Westchester has been wholly inadequate—a management fiasco” said Westchester Assemblyman Tom Abinanti (D, 92nd AD) as he called for an immediate change in Con Ed’s management team and then the decertification of Con Ed for Westchester County.
“In the short run, we need Con Ed to re-arrange its management – to put in place people who will better prioritize, bring in the necessary workers and coordinate with local governments to restore power to our communities,” stated the Westchester Assemblyman. “In the long run, we need to unplug Con Edison and replace it with a new power provider for Westchester.”
Three full days (NOW FOUR-1/2) after the end of Isaias in Westchester, Con Ed still has not yet opened over 250 of the 570 roads closed due to the storm; still has more than half of the outages remaining; and assembled an on-the-street work force of less than half of the workers they set out to deploy.
“Con Ed has stripped its workforce to a mere shadow of what it used to be,” said the Westchester Assembly member. “Con Ed’s business model is to profit its shareholders at the expense of the public’s safety. Con Ed’s reliance on ‘mutual aid’ from neighboring utility companies has again been proven to be a faulty strategy which does not timely deliver enough on-the-street workers.”
Abinanti notes that Con Ed’s response was “a poor plan, poorly executed.” He commended Con Ed employees on the street, but said “there have been far too few of them.” He highlighted Con Ed’s continuing failure to coordinate with local governments who have been far ahead of Con Ed in their storm response and who have been stymied by Con Ed poor response because only certain Con Ed crews can de-electrify He criticized Con Ed’s failure to inform the public and meet the public’s needs.
Abinanti’s statement is a reprise of his efforts in 2012 after “Superstorm” Sandy when he sent a sent a letter to then Westchester County Executive Robert Astorino requesting that the County of Westchester Public Utility Service Agency (COWPUSA) to initiate proceedings before the New York State Public Service Commission to decertify Con Ed in Westchester County.
“Con Ed’s response to Sandy is just another example of Con Ed’s long term neglect of Westchester’s residents and businesses,” Abinanti noted in 2012.
Con Ed, a public utility and monopoly, is charged and has total control of the delivery of electricity and gas to the people and businesses in its service area.
“I have tried to work constructively with Con Ed for a long time – and I am quite disappointed to see such a management failure again,” said Abinanti. “Clearly, they learned nothing from their failed responses to previous storms and the reports and criticisms that followed.”
WPCNR THE LETTER TICKER. From Chris Burdick, Bedford Town Supervisor and Democrat Nominee for 93rd Assembly District. AUGUST 9, 2020:
8.8 4:30pm SATURDAY AFTERNOON UpdateTropical Storm Isaias and Power Outages IN BEDFORD.
With more resources available in NYSEG service area, I am cautiously optimistic that the estimated times of restoration are realistic and might be advanced. I have significant concerns over Con Edison’s efforts, which have been absymal.
After my ranting the last couple of days, we finally have crews in town to handle restoration (not just “cut and clear”), however, the resources remain insufficient.
Being on a Con Edison call this (Saturday) morning with municipal officials from other Westchester towns, their plight is even worse – blocked roads (residents trapped not able to get in or out), critical facilities inaccessible, dangerous live wires.
Status of Outages NYSEG outages as of this writing is 1229 out of 6685. Con Edison is reporting 236 of 1053 (this is more recent than on website).
Both utilities note that you may not see trucks on your street as they would be working at substations, transmission lines which serve your street.
NYSEG Restoration Plans and Estimated Times of Restoration
NYSEG senior operations personnel report their restoration work plan for today that there are 50 crews working on circuits either in Bedford or serving Bedford:
1. Four make safe crews with the town (addressing the giant tree on Cresent Ave) – this is the reason for periodic outages in Bedford Hills and Katonah.
2. 17 crews on Bedford substation (NYSEG, Oneonta, contractors and 1 local Bedford crew)
3. 18 crews Cantitoe substation
4. 10 RGE crews working out of Golden Bridge substation working towards water treatment plant (power restored)
NYSEG Estimated Time of Restoration as of this writing:
Updated Restoration Times
3:00 PM- 364:00 PM – 197:00 PM – 18:00 PM – 469:00 PM – 57510:00 PM – 102
Closed Roads Except where crews are working, all roads in Bedford now are open.
Con Edison Restoration Plans and Estimated Times of Restoration
I spoke a short while ago with senior Con Edison operations personnel. They have several crews working on circuits in Bedford or serving Bedford. The crews are “cut and clear” crews as well as line crews responsible for restoring power.
There is a crew dedicated to the “Mt. Kisco Loop”, which is a circuit which covers about 150 of their 226 customers without power. There also are crews on McLain and Old Wagon which then will move to other roads as they complete work from there.
Explanation on Power On and Off Again Friday night Katonah residents lost power though power previously had been restored to them. The reason for last night’s outage is due to NYSEG crews needing to “open a circuit” (this means de-energizing the circuit) to allow them to work on a massive downed tree in Bedford Hills. This may occur from time to time until the work is complete – three crews are working on it today, as noted above.
Workplace, Internet and Charging Facilities We have the courtroom at the Town offices at 321 Bedford Road open as a workplace, internet and charging facility. Additionally, wifi is accessible outside in the lobby. As noted previously, space is limited due to social distancing and you must wear a facemask or will be asked to leave. It will be try to keep it open until 9:00 PM tonight.
Dry Ice/Water As noted yesterday, we distributed dry ice and water this morning. We do not know at this point whether dry ice will be available tomorrow.
Showers; Parks Shower facilities will be open today only until 6 PM. Residents arriving to utilize the showers will be required to sign-in and wear a mask upon entry. We ask that showers are limited to 5 minutes in duration. We also recommend the use of footwear (flip-flops, water shoes) when taking a shower. Shower stalls and bathrooms will be disinfected/sanitized routinely during operating hours.
Other Park Operations: When we are able to re-open pools, they will operate on normal operating hours of 10am-8pm, and the pool sessions and reservation system will be in place.
BVMP – power has been restored, and pool is being attended to by staff today for reopening tomorrow, Sunday, August 9th
KMP – power has been restored, and pool is being attended to by staff today for reopening tomorrow, Sunday, August 9thBHMP – no power at park. Operating as a shower facility today. Depending on when power is restored will determine ability to reopen.
As noted previously, the parks do not have power, so as I previously announced we had to close the pools. We have made arrangements for a generator to provide sufficient electricity capacity for the pool house only at the Bedford Hills Memorial Park.
The pools require substantial electricity (pumps, etc) so we are not able to open them at this time. Rec & Parks staff continue to maintain pools with available power from generators, and have cleaned the pools and pool grounds from storm debris. When power is restored, additional steps need to be taken to fully prepare the facilities for the public’s return. Once that is complete, we will reopen as soon as possible.
CHRIS BURDICK, BEDFORD TOWN SUPERVISOR
WPCNR THE LETTER TICKER. August 8, 2020:
Greetings, everyone:
I hope everyone is getting through both the Covid-19 Pandemicand the mess resulting from Tropical Storm Isaias OK.
Right now, as of 11:26am, 8-8-2020, Saturday, 50,000 ConEd Customers are still without power.
My advice remains the same: please have your computer physically unplugged from the wall and/or power strip while the power is still out (I’m assumingyou’re reading this on a smartphone, or a borrowed computer).
The upsurge from power restoration can destroy a computer or monitor.
For some reason, routers, modems and printers usually don’t suffer this fate, but feel free to have those unplugged, too.
Keep in mind that utility poles often carry more than just power.If a pole and or its wires have been destroyed or compromised by a fallen
tree, removing it means de-energizing the power lines, and inflicting a temporary outage on other services carried by those wires.
Also keep in mind that from the chatter I’m “overhearing” on community-oriented social media, FIOS has suffered far fewer outages than Optimum/Cablevision,and due to their deployment of far more repair trucks, has restored service more quickly.
Feel free to contact me with storm-related recovery (or any other) questions.
Be safe… be well.
Sincerely,
Aaron Woodin