Shelters at Westfield State University remain open.
WESTFIELD – Utility crews continued an around-the-clock effort to restore electricity to the city’s 19,000 customers Wednesday but officials warned that the effort may not be completed until Saturday.
Less than 5,000 customers remained without power late Wednesday and that number was being reduced each hour, said Westfield Gas and Electric Department spokesman Sean Fitzgerald.
“By the weekend we expect to be 100 percent complete,” he said.
Mayor Daniel M. Knapik said the last to have power restored will be an estimated 600 customers who have experienced down lines on their property. “Those who have service connection issues, unfortunately, will be the last to get power restored,” Knapik said.
“We will get to them,” said Fitzgerald. “But, we must continue to finish power restoration to the major parts of the city,” he said.
The local utility is receiving assistance from line crews from North Carolina and Templeton, Ma. since Monday. Additional crews from Canada were scheduled to arrive Wednesday, officials said.
Fitzgerald said 50 two-man crews are working to repair or replace lines and related equipment.
Westfield schools and Westfield State University remain closed until Nov. 7.
The university continues to offer shelter at its Juniper Park School and Scanlon Hall on campus and the campus dining commons is open to the public from 6:30 a.m. to 8 p.m..
In Southwick, schools there, including Granville’s Village School will again be closed Thursday.
Superintendent of Schools John D. Barry said Friday’s school schedule will be announced Thursday afternoon.
Electricity to the four district schools was not restored as of Wednesday afternoon.