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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1999-11-22-Y2K-rpt.pdf DRAFT For Immediate Release November 22, 1999 Contact (781) 862-0500 extension 278 Please re-print as submitted aoos Mog4,i oe ills �c Q14.go i a MRIL I9" �fXINGS�� TOWN OF LEXINGTON COMMUNITY FORUMS HELD FOR Y2K The first of two community forums sponsored by the town's Y2K Committee was held at the Council on Aging on Tuesday, October 19th Planned specifically to address the concerns of senior citizens,the October 19th forum was moderated by COA President Clarke Cowen. Y2K Coordinator Karen Simmons, Assistant Fire Chief Peter Torode, Police Captain Steve Con, DPW Superintendent Bill Hadley and Fire Chief/Emergency Director Jack Quinlan addressed a variety of Y2K issues including Lexington's Y2K Contingency Plan and departmental preparations, personal preparedness, potential Y2K scams and measures for individual protection, water and sewer system operation, overall Public Works preparations, and emergency management services. American Red Cross representative Marc Fernendez highlighted the Red Cross's readiness and identified role should an emergency arise. A second forum geared toward the community as a whole, moderated by Selectman Jeanne Krieger, was held at the Clarke Middle School on November 17th Town Manager Richard White, Y2K Chairperson Karen Simmons, DPW Superintendent Bill Hadley, Police Captain Steve Corr, Fire Chief Jack Quinlan and Assistant Chief Peter Torode presented an overview of the Town's Y2K preparations and readiness. These efforts were commended by representatives from Cutter Consortium, an independent auditing firm retained by the Town, in their brief report on the results of their audit of Lexington's Y2K readiness. Representatives from the major utility companies, including Boston Edison, Bell Atlantic, Massachusetts Water Resources Authority, and Boston Gas outlined the preparations made by their companies to ensure communities including Lexington will receive uninterrupted service both before and after the New Year Residents from Lexington and a few neighboring communities posed a number of questions for town and utility company officials. Some questions presented at both the October 19th and November 17th forum include Some questions presented from the audience and addressed by the speakers included. • Q What will the Town do if the telephone system fails?Are contingency plans in place for emergency communications? What are alternate means of providing emergency communications in case the emergency telephone system is out?Has the Town considered making signs available for people to post in case of emergency? Should residents purchase cellular telephones for backup? A: Police presence on the holiday weekend will be greatly expanded. Emergency posts will be set up throughout the Town. Exact locations of the posts will be published once finalized. Should an emergency occur and telephones out of order, residents may access emergency services by pulling the nearest fire alarm box. Alarm box locations will be published as part of the Town's emergency post locations. • Q: If power and heat are lost, what should residents do? A: The Town's "Home Guide to Emergency Preparedness", prepared by the Lexington Fire Department and available at town buildings, provides a comprehensive overview on planning for most home emergency situations, including loss of power and heat. The Town's Y2K flyer "WHAT YOU CAN DO TO BE PREPARED FOR Y2K' outlines other precautions to take in case of power failure • Q: Has the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority tested its water and sewer systems? Does the town have contingency plans for pumping sewage in case the power fails? A: The Town's sewer pumping stations have been tested and are expected to continue working during the critical rollover period. Other precautions taken by the Department of Public Works includes ensuring ongoing operations for internal communications, snow plowing, and fueling of public buildings and equipment. • Q. Will shelters be set up in case there is an emergency? Where will the shelters be, and what will they provide?If there is an emergency, what radio stations should we listen to for information? Whom should we call if there is an emergency? Is there a tie-in with the Armory? What measures should be taken to prepare for pets? A: Shelters will be open only if needed, with availability broadcast on the Radio, TV and Cable TV The Emergency Broadcast System, over Radio, TV and Cable TV, will be used to declare an emergency The Bedford Street Armory would be available should a state or federal emergency be declared. The Emergency Resource Guide, the Red Cross Pet Brochure, and the local humane society are good references for providing for pets. The end of the 1999 calendar year is fast approaching Y2K preparations by town departments continue to be fine tuned to ensure readiness for challenges that may confront the community at the close of the year Watch for information on final emergency management plans, including shelters, emergency aid locations, and special telephone numbers, which will be published over the upcoming weeks. ####