The power outage that was widespread throughout Hartford Weds. night resulted in the Washington County 911 center performing a 911 reverse calling notification to those in the affected area that the Hartford Firehouse would open as a warming shelter if the power was not restored by 11:30pm. The Firehouse has emergency power.

Because the temperature was in the negative digits, this outage had the potential to threaten public safety if it persisted for a long time.

The County 911 center was able to pull up the National Grid map of the affected area and call those land lines within it. But, unless you still maintain at least one old fashion plug into the wall phone you can not get a call in a power failure.

The County also has the ability to perform a 911 reverse call to citizens with cell phones. These cell calls can include voice and or text messaging to alert you.

But, in order for the 911 center to know that you want an alert on your cell phone, you have to register your cell phone number with them.

There is no need to register your home land line phone because they already have this in the system and those calls will come automatically, but cell phones are a different story.

I sent this info out in a mass mailing a couple of years ago and maybe it is time to remind people again.

Pasted below is information from the County website regarding this sign up. It is very easy to sign up with the Hyper-Reach link provided below.

Please forward this email on to Washington County residents in your address book that you think might be interested.

Dana

Washington County COMMUNITY SIGN UP

The Hyper-Reach system uses landline telephone numbers provided by the telephone companies that serve Washington County. If you are a resident of Washington County, you are already enrolled in a program that could save the lives of you and your family. Hyper-Reach is designed to allow emergency management professionals from the Police, Fire, and Emergency Medical Services, as well as, the Washington County Department of Public Safety, to contact you by telephone in the event of a civil emergency. An automated phone message would be directed to each phone in a specified area notifying residents of impending or active emergency conditions, disasters, or health warnings.

Hyper-Reach already calls your home phone
number(s) in the event of local emergencies or community alerts. You do not need to register your home phone number. Submitting the additional information below will allow your cellular phone, email, and/or TDD to be notified as well.

Please take a moment to fill out the form at
www.hyper-reach.com/washingtonsignup.html

The information provided will not be used for any purpose other than community announcements.

Anyone turning 65 this year needs to contact Hartford’s Sole Assessor Sandy Foley to see if they qualify for the Enhanced Star program which eases the burden of paying the school tax.

Even if they don’t turn 65 until after March 1st, as long as Sandy has all the paperwork in, they will get it for the 2014 School year.

The level for Enhanced Star has increased to $64,200 for this year, so it will make a large difference to the Seniors that may qualify.

You can contact Sandy at Ph: 585-7831 or email her at a [email protected].

Dana

The County VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) program is once again available. This program assists Washington County individuals and families that have household incomes of less than $50,000 in the preparation of their Income Tax Return forms. Trained volunteers will sit down with you and help you fill out the tax return.

Day and evening appointments to sit down with a tax prep volunteer are available by calling 1-800-211-5128 ext 100. Appointments are available 9am-4pm beginning Jan. 6, 2014.

Through this program you can get faster returns and free electronic filing. Direct deposit for both Federal and State returns is an option.

Tax returns with stock sales, business or rental income are not eligible for this program.

Dana

This letter to the Editor was in this week’s Granville Sentinel and Post Star newspapers.

Editor: The fire in Hartford that occurred at the Tyler Dairy Farm on Saturday, Jan. 6 shows the importance of local fire companies and the Washington County Fire Control Mutual Aid System.

Most of the fire companies in Washington County are volunteer. Dedicated men and women that are not compensated one penny, but yet out of dedication for their community, leap into action without hesitation. In the case of the Tyler Farm fire, this meant turning out in 20 below zero weather.

Fire pond water that is drafted onto tankers this time of year is just a few degrees above freezing to start with and once it is exposed to 20 below zero temps only takes a few minutes to slush up and freeze inside the various apparatuses. Not to mention what happens to the fingers and toes of the firefighters.

The Hartford Volunteer Fire Company and 22 other fire companies responded to the fire. The extremely cold weather took its toll on firefighters and equipment, but in the end they were able to save the main milking barn and most of the animals against overwhelming odds. I believe the only thing that saved the farm that day was the sheer determination of those involved, including neighbors and farming friends that tended to the herd. The Town Highway Department kept a sander truck on scene to keep the road sanded for the firefighters.

Besides the brave men and women of the Hartford Volunteer Fire Company, I would like to thank the other mutual aid companies from Washington County, Warren County, Saratoga County and Vermont that responded; Fort Ann, North Granville, Argyle, Kingsbury, West Fort Ann, Whitehall, Middle Granville, Granville Engine and Hose, Granville Hook and Ladder, Hebron, Cossayuna, Fort Edward, Salem, Middle Falls, Greenwich, Hudson Falls, South Queensbury, Bay Ridge, South Glens Falls, West Pawlet, Pawlet and Poultney.

Dana Haff – Hartford Supervisor