Five days after a historic storm blasted through Plymouth, paralyzing most of the town for days, officials on Friday announced reopenings and a slow return to normal.
Schools are set to reopen Monday. Roads are open along with most businesses, and libraries are expected to open on Saturday, along with the Manomet Youth Center, the transfer station and town recreation programs.
“We look forward to welcoming everyone back on Monday,” said schools Superintendent Chris Campbell in an email to parents and staff.
He reported all school buildings have been thoroughly inspected and are in good condition. Power has been fully restored to all of the system’s buildings.
In fact, Eversource officials reported power restored to all but 129 customers throughout Plymouth as of 4:27 p.m. Friday. On Monday, during the height of the storm, 26,372, or 76 percent, were in the dark.
Since all public roads are now reopened, Town Manager Derek Brindisi said, the Department of Public Works can focus this weekend on clearing snowbanks from school bus stops and intersections to allow buses to round corners.
The emergency shelter run by the town and the American Red Cross at North Plymouth High was closed Friday after offering warmth, power, food, and sleeping accommodations to 156 people over the course of the week, said Brindisi.
Brindisi said the town was able to dismantle its emergency operations center Thursday night.
Brindisi said the DPW has been able to clear much of downtown of snowbanks. He expected the parking ban in downtown and North Plymouth to be lifted Friday night.
Fred Thys can be reached at fred@plymouthindependent.org.