Rockville Centre mayor asks for cooperation after storm [Updated Friday, Nov. 2]

Rockville Centre Mayor Francis Murray released another message on Nov. 2 to village residents with an update of the Hurricane Sandy recovery process, the restoration of services and safety tips.

According Village Spokesman Jeff Kluewer, more than 60 percent of residential customers have been restored to power as of Nov. 2 and the village is working to restore the rest, though trees need to be cleared before lines can be repaired.

Kluewer said that Rockville Centre officials expect to have most residents restored to power by Monday night, though some areas suffering extensive damage and affecting a small number of customers will have to wait longer.

The Village Transfer Station, at 10 Sunrise Highway, will be open Saturday Nov. 3 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. to receive debris from the storm and bulk trash items. The Sandel Senior Center at South Park and Linoln Avenues will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and people are welcome to go charge their electronic devices.

Kluewer said that the Recreation Center on North Oceanside Road will also be open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday for those who need to charge electronic devices. The center is also a drop-off location for donations to the Breezy Point fire victims. Donations of non-perishable food, clothing, diapers, toiletries, towels and blankets are all being accepted.

The village also advised residents using an alternate heating source, like fireplaces, or electric generators to make sure that their carbon monoxide detector is in place and supplied with fresh back-up batteries.

Murray released a message to residents Wednesday afternoon through the Swift911 system, discussing the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy and confirming that the village is still in a state of emergency.

According to Murray, 70 percent of residents in the village lost power as of Tuesday morning and said that while employees are working diligently to restore electricity, officials could not give an estimate of when specific areas would regain power.