A CL&P crew worked late today near 107 North Ave. to open the roadway and restore power to the area. A CL&P official said crews were making progress in clearing roads, but Public Works Director Steve Edwards said 13 Westport roads without alternate access were still blocked by trees and wires down. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Contributed photo

Gov. Dannel P. Malloy today extended the quarterly real estate tax payment deadline to Nov. 15 because of Hurricane Sandy, his office announced.

This means Westport taxpayers who have not paid their taxes due Oct. 1 by the Thursday, Nov. 1 deadline to pay without penalty now have until Nov. 15 to pay without penalty.

Malloy’s office said he signed Executive Order 26 that extends the property tax deadline for those Connecticut residents who pay property taxes on a quarterly basis.

“Getting life back to normal is going to take some time, but this Executive Order will give residents some breathing room to avoid accumulating interest fees,” said Malloy in a statement. “Local leaders and legislators have advocated strongly for their communities—this is important in the effort to help people recover from Hurricane Sandy.”

By James Lomuscio

A little more than a year ago, U.S. Congressman Jim Himes and Westport First Selectman Gordon Joseloff walked the same path of storm damage at Compo Beach. Only today it was far worse with Hurricane Sandy packing a stronger punch that Tropical Storm Irene.

Congressman Jim Himes toured Westport’s Compo Beach area today to survey storm damage. He was joined by Westport First Selectman Gordon Joseloff, state Rep. Jonathan Steinberg, and Fire Chief Andy Kingsbury. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) James Lomuscio for WestportNow.com

“You can tell how powerful the waves were,” said Himes pointing to a blown out brick wall, wide enough to drive a small truck through, to the right of the beach pavilion.

“That’s quite a punch, Jim,” chimed in state Rep. Jonathan Steinberg who accompanied Joseloff and Himes on the tour.

“This is extreme damage, said Joseloff outside the pavilion which the storm filled with sand 4 feet high.

Westport Town Clerk Patricia Strauss announced today that special office hours are scheduled for Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon to accommodate voters applying for an absentee ballot to vote in the election to be held on Nov. 6.

Absentee ballots are available at the Town Clerk’s office daily, Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., and will be available through Monday, Nov. 5 until 4:30 p.m.

Ballots must be returned to the Town Clerk’s office no later than 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 6 when the polls officially close. The Town Clerk’s office is located in the Town Hall at 110 Myrtle Ave in Room 105.

Applications for absentee ballots can be downloaded from the town website at http://www.westportct.gov

Westport Schools Superintendent Elliott Landon said today Westport schools will be closed Thursday and Friday, according to the town website.

After receiving notification of the federal assistance available to cities and towns, businesses, individuals, and nonprofits in Fairfield, New Haven, Middlesex and New London Counties, Gov. Dannel P. Malloy today announced that residents in those counties who suffered damage as a result of Hurricane Sandy must register with FEMA by phone or online to access that aid.

“This declaration will bring much-needed financial assistance to residents who were impacted by Hurricane Sandy,” said Malloy.

“But it is critical to note that you must register with FEMA to begin the process of accessing possible federal assistance. We will continue to work to get the rest of the counties in the state declared.”

To register by phone, residents can call 1-800-621-FEMA (3362).  The TTY line for people with speech or hearing disabilities is 1-800-462-7585.  The line is open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., seven days per week.

The grills on Westport’s South Beach at Compo Beach took a direct hit from Hurricane Sandy. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Mary Sikorski for WestportNow.com

Westport’s ladder truck was put on a tractor-trailer at Westport fire headquarters today to be taken to Enfield for service after it was knocked out of action when salt water got into the air intake of the engine while on an emergency call. There was no word about the extent of damage or when it will be back in service.  (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Contributed photo