SEPTA back in service, defends shut down | 311 running 24/7 | polling place prep | stream buffer hearing

Happy Halloween, Streeters. The clouds are lifting and blue sky is peeking through. Schools, city council, and government offices are open today. SEPTA is also up and running. If you’re out and about today, don’t forget your camera. Send along your Halloween-y pix – expertly carved pumpkins, over the top house decorations, bands of candy-corn fueled kids loose on the street – via twitter to @planphilly or @ashleyjhahn, via email, or add them to the Flickr pool.

SEPTA is up and running, including regional rail, but delays and detours are expected, so leave lots of time to travel today. SEPTA officials are defending the decision to err on the side of caution and shut down the system in advance of Sandy. Thinking of passengers and employees, SEPTA general manager Joseph Casey said, “We needed people to stay home.”

The city’s 311 system has been running around the clock to help out with Hurricane Sandy recovery, and it has been flooded with calls, reports NewsWorks. Most people are calling to report downed trees or flooding and get information about the resumption of city services. Aside from contacting 311, you can call these numbers too:

• For downed wires, call PECO at 215-841-4141 or 911 if there is a live wire in the street.
• To report clogged storm drains or street flooding call the Water Department at 215-685-6300.
• For information about the Philadelphia School District call 215-400-4636.

City Commissioners expect that voting machines will be delivered to polling places today, reports the Daily News. The machines were already tested and City Commission chairwoman Stephanie Singer said that there is enough time between now and the election to properly prepare.

This morning at 10am, the City Council Rules Committee will consider  zoning legislation that would establish a 50-foot riparian buffer along the city’s waterways. [agenda pdf] Advocates are encouraging people who support the proposal – for environmental and recreational purposes – to show up in force. More to follow on this one.

The Buzz is Eyes on the Street’s morning news digest. Have a tip? Send it along.