Media Room

(Monday, October 6, 2003 6 p.m.) The situation throughout HRM is beginning to return to "normal" after the impact of last Sunday's hurricane. The State of Local Emergency was lifted Sunday evening at 9pm and HRM is now undertaking a Recovery Operation.

While the majority of HRM residents have had their power restored, there are still a number of areas without power. Crews are still working diligently around the clock with NSPI crews to ensure all power is restored as soon as possible. HRM's Agreement for Provision of Service is still in effect with the Canadian Forces Personnel until Wednesday, October 8th.

Fallen Trees, Storm debris collection - HRM Works crews continue to make progress alongside NSPI crews and Canadian Forces personnel and are currently working clearing right-of-way areas and trees up against houses and entangled in power lines, as well as clearing stumps and assessing street lighting. Debris pick-up has been extended until Friday, October 10th when it is anticipated the majority of sidewalks, as well as streets, should be restored to passable conditions. HRM is also coordinating with the Halifax Regional School Board to ensure that sidewalks around schools are returned to safe conditions. Debris pick-up is also continuing throughout the rural areas of HRM.

We regret public drop-off of debris cannot be accepted at the temporary sites set up to process debris being collected by HRM Works Crews.

NO Burning of Debris - The N.S. Department of Natural Resources "No Burn Order" is still in effect.

Solid Waste Collection- For residents on green cart collection from September 29th through to October 10th, the Municipality will be collecting your green carts and bundles of branches as usual. Due to the current volumes, please HOLD clear and orange bags of leaf and yard waste until a later green cart collection week.

Tax Deadline Further Extended- As a result of some residents still being without power, HRM has again, further extended the deadline on payment of property taxes until Tuesday, October 14, 2003.

Comfort Centers- The Harrietsfield Comfort Center has now been closed. Comfort Centers remain open at Lawrencetown Community Center, Ostrea Lake Fire Station, Oyster Pond Fire Station and Parker Street Food Bank in downtown Halifax. These Comfort Centers will continue to operate over the next few days as needed. For further information, residents may call 490-4000. Those HRM residents who now have power are being encouraged to be a good neighbour or friend and check in on anyone who may still be without and in need.

Customer Service Center - The Musquodoboit Customer Service Center is back up and running as of today, Monday, October 6, 2

003. Fire Services - A list of Fire Stations supplying water to those who do not have well-access are as follows: 245 Herring Cove Rd., 45 Knightsridge Dr., Halifax;1 Metropolitan Blvd., Lr. Sackville; 1156 Sackville Dr., Lr. Sackville; 1807 Caldwell Rd., Eastern Passage; 690 Main St, Westphal; 2931 Lawrencetown Rd., Lawrencetown; 3035 # 7 Hwy, Lake Echo; 5543 Hwy # 7 Head Chezzetcook; 32 Riverside Ave., Musquodoboit Hbr; 51 Old Trunk Rd.,Oyster Pond; 2433 Lake Thomas Drive, Waverley; 2101 Prospect Rd., Hatchet Lake; 3610 Prospect Rd.,Shad Bay; 8579 St Margaret's Bay Rd., Black Point; 26 Myra Rd., Timberlea; 4408 St. Margaret's Bay Rd., Lewis Lake; 57 Ketch Harbour Rd., Herring Cove; 964 Ketch Harbour Rd., Ketch Harbour; 1070 Old Sambro Rd, Harrietsfield and Sambro Elementary School. Residents are reminded this water is not for the purpose of drinking water.

Public Transportation- Metro Transit's October Metropasses are now required by regular passholders for traveling on the bus and ferry service. Use of the September Metropass had been extended as a result of many transit retail outlets not being open after Hurricane Juan.

Metro Transit will also begin to accept requests once again to book Charter Bus Service, beginning Wednesday, October 8th, 2003.

HRM Call Center- The HRM Call Center has now returned to its regular hours of operation, between 7:30 a.m.- 10 p.m., 7 days a week. Please contact 490-4000.

School Board- For specific details on school openings, please check the Halifax Regional School Board Web site at www.hrsb.ns.ca or call the School Board Information Line at 464-2000.

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