Most of Caledon back with power

December 23, 2013 · 0 Comments

Mother Nature showed her might throughout the Greater Toronto Area in last week’s ice storm. The result was many trees in the area collapsed under the weight, including this one on Dixie Road, and many were without power for days.
Photo by Bill Rea

By Bill Rea
Mayor Marolyn Morrison is very impressed with the way Caledon has coped with the recent difficulties.
As of press time (Monday afternoon) it was reported there are just a few pockets in the town that are without power.
Things were a lot better than they were a week before, when many in Town were without power after the massive ice storm that struck the Greater Toronto Area last Sunday.
During that period, Town staffers were on duty manning warming centres and working to make sure all were taken care of.
“What the staff has done is phenomenal in my opinion,” the mayor declared. “They have given up Christmas and everything with their families to serve the community.”
She was also impressed with the way people in the community pitched in to help.
“That’s our community,” she said. “That’s what Caledon is made up of. It’s made up of people who come together and work together.”
Councillor Allan Thompson had stories of people who shared generators as they got their power back up. He said he got involved after hearing from the mayor’s office that a Terra Cotta area woman needed a generator to get water for her horses. He was able to help her out, and the word spread as other people started sharing their equipment.
“Talk about Christmas spirit, the neighbourhood sure showed it,” he declared.
The latest update from the Town, issued at about 3 p.m. Monday, stated that power has been restored to virtually all customers in Caledon, with Hydro One reporting only one or two minor incidents, each with fewer than 20 customers. While crews from Public Works and Parks and Recreation continue to work on clearing debris, the last remaining warming centre at the Bolton Fire Station was closed as of 8:30 a.m. that day.
“This community pulled together in typical fashion,” Morrison said. “Neighbours helped neighbours and Town staff responded heroically. We were probably the hardest hit community in all of Ontario. And now our focus is on doing what needs to be done to repair damage and clean up from this storm.”
Mayor Morrison participated with Region of Peel colleagues in a conference call Monday to review the effects of the storm and prepare a coordinated response.
“There is a lot of work to be done,” she said, “but we agreed on the need to work together and clearly communicate to residents what action will be taken to respond to this extraordinary situation.”
The Town reported the Region will be collecting regular garbage, recycling and green waste, using its published collection schedule. Residents may place unlimited amounts of acceptable waste on their scheduled collection days until Jan. 10. No garbage tags will be required for this period only.
In order to assist residents with the removal of excess wood and brush debris, the Region will begin collecting small bundles of wood and brush from the curb beginning Jan. 13 on regularly scheduled collection days. Bundles of wood and brush must not exceed four feet in length, 30 inches in diameter and 76 cm (30 in.) in diameter and 44 pounds in weight to ensure collector safety.
Residents and contractors can also drop off yard waste, bundles of wood and brush at any one of the Regional Community Recycling Centres. Fees will be waived.
For more information, visit the Region of Peel website.

Trees
The Town continues to receive reports of downed trees and branches on public and private property. Now that the majority of trees have been removed from major roadways, staff is working on responding to these reports on a priority basis. The Town is currently focusing on clearing trees that pose a hazard to obstructed sidewalks, driveways, and other safety-related situations.
Residents should expect delays in clearing non-hazardous fallen trees and branches at this time. Remain cautious when walking, and when possible avoid woodlots, trails, parks and open spaces until the situation has been mitigated.

Trees on Hydro Lines
If there are any trees impacting hydro lines, contact Hydro One at 1-800-434-1235. The Town cannot remove any trees that are impacted by Hydro lines until the danger has been removed.

Public Trees
The Town is committed to working quickly to remove fallen trees and limbs from municipal property.
If there is a fallen boulevard tree (between the road and sidewalk), contact the Region of Peel After Hours Line at 1-800-563-7881.

Private Trees
For privately owned trees, residents are encouraged to contact a local arborist to assess the situation. Residents are asked to refrain from moving privately owned tree debris onto the curb.