Huntington offers recharging for devices

Town of Huntington officials have an answer for residents and businesses wondering how they can stay in touch by cellphone and the Internet: Room 114.

Recognizing that cellphone capability and Web access are no longer luxuries in today's technologically dependent society, officials Wednesday opened the room at town hall where residents and businesses can recharge cellphones and other electronic devices and eventually gain Internet access.

With restoration of power expected to take up to two weeks in the aftermath of superstorm Sandy, town officials decided to offer the free service again. Last year, the service was provided after Tropical Storm Irene.

Room 114 will be open daily from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, and offer areas to charge phones and medical equipment, use computer work stations, fax machines and copiers. And when wireless networks are restored, Internet access will also be available.

“People can use the phone, the copier, fax something, and most importantly they can charge their electronic devices: cellphones, their iPods, their iPads, their tablet computers, which helps provide them with their vital link to the world,” Huntington spokesman A.J. Carter said Wednesday. “We’re pleased to be able to provide this service.”

The town is operating on generator power, Carter said. Email service to town hall has been restored and town officials said they are still working to get Internet access.

Residents were alerted to the technology room in a robocall sent out Tuesday night from Town Supervisor Frank Petrone.

Petrone also said resumption of HART bus service will depend on how quickly roads are cleared of debris and when traffic signals are restored. Regular refuse collection was expected to resume Thursday and Friday. Boat launch service has resumed, allowing owners to check on their boats.

To report a downed tree, call the highway department hotline at 631-499-0444. For emergencies, call the town’s public safety department at 631-351-6573. For power issues, call LIPA at 800-490-0075.

“We’re doing our best to get things back up and running,” Petrone said Tuesday. “We ask for patience. This is not going to be a quick fix.”