Updates: Photos from Tuesday morning, 8.30.11

• From Brandon Police Chief Chris Brickell: “Please urge everyone to obey the police tape. Our biggest nightmare is trying to keep track of people crossing the tape. I know they are curious and want to see. But it is a big problem for us.”
  
• 11:39 am from Chief Brickell: A partial preliminary bridge inspection was done this morning. Water levels are still too high to assess the integrity of the bridge safely. Inspectors are assessing bridges all over the state and are tentatively planning for another inspection on Thursday. In the meantime town officials working with Markowski’s will be prepping the roadways on both sides of the bridge with a base in anticipation of a positive inspection on Thursday. After a final inspection and approval, the bridge will then be prepared for traffic. Two way traffic, over one lane at least, will be prepared. If all goes as planned the potential for Route 7 to be reopened could be sometime late Friday. Again that is if all goes as planned. Cooperation and coordination of this project is contingent upon the public and business owner assistance. Business owners, property owners, and onlookers need to respect the need of law enforcement, firefighters, and construction crews to keep the area clear of people. Updates will follow as they become available. This information had been released by Select board Chair Richard Baker

• Tina Wiles, Brandon Zoning Administrator, is working out of the Brandon Fire Station. Hours are forthcoming but people may call her on her cell phone at 802-779-2070 or email her at twiles@sover.net. She will get answers for you if she doesn’t know them.

• Union Street is open. Maple Street is in poor condition but passable. Long Swamp is under water. Leicester-Whiting Road is no longer an option
  

• Unfortunately, the bridge inspector did not come to Brandon on Monday. Maybe Tuesday (although the early WCAX news said all the VT AOT officials / inspectors were on their way to Bennington and Brattleboro).

• If you have propane tanks and they were in standing water, have your supplier check them before you use them. If you have a well that flooded, boil your water for a few days.

• Vermont road closures is fairly updated by calling 511 or checking the 511 map on-line

• Continue to check the Brandon Facebook page for updates. This is a public page and you do not need to be a Facebook member or use to view it.

From our hearty business community:

Good Morning Brandon – Aug. 30, 2011

With full sunshine all day Monday and a strong community pulling together, Brandon already feels like it is on the upswing.

• Blue Seal Feeds, Shapiro’s, Aubuchon’s, Wood’s Market, The Inside Scoop, Heritage Family Credit Union, National Bank of Middlebury and Lake Sunapee Bank are open.
• Cafe Provence is taking over Gourmet Provence’s coffee and baking and is open for business.
• Carr’s Florist & Gifts is opening today. And if you can’t get downtown, they will deliver!  
• Center Street Bar was open as of 4 pm Monday afternoon and we heard there was a great crowd last night. Sully’s opened yesterday at 5 pm. YES. People are allowed to walk down the sidewalk from the bank corner.
• From The Reporter: “We had to evacuate our newspaper office and are operating out of the Addy Indy offices in Middlebury for at least the next few weeks. Until I can change our Brandon voicemail to reflect this, can you please post our contact numbers: For news, call Editor Lee Kahrs at 349-6018 or 352-1085 For advertising and general questions, contact Ad Manager Alyssa Zollman at 345-7848. Email: news@brandonreporter.com for news and ads@brandonreporter.com. And there WILL be a paper on the streets this Wednesday!
• Safer Society Foundation, owner of the Briggs Carriage Building, is looking for a place for its offices to relocate. Contact Joe Acinapura, who is on their Board of Directors (802-247-8403). Safer Society is a private, non-profit organization which employs 3-4 people.
• Liza Myers Gallery / James Frames unbelievably sustained very little water in the basement. Word on the foundation is still forthcoming.
• The Conant Block (Gourmet Provence, Vermont Sports Medicine, Adornment) had very little water on the street level although there was still standing water in the basement as of Monday afternoon. Word on the foundation is still forthcoming.
• Sheri’s Diner is normally closed on Tuesdays. She hopes to re-open Wed. or Thursday. We will keep you updated.

Photos from Tuesday morning, 8.30.11