Date: Fri 10-Sep-1999

Publication: Bee

Author: STEVEB

Quick Words:

Eagle-Scout-project-Kaechele

Full Text:

Eagle Scout Project Goes By The Numbers

(with photos)

BY STEVE BIGHAM

Emergency personnel will now be able to find their way along Huntingtown Road

a little easier thanks to the efforts of one local Boy Scout.

James Kaechele, a sophomore at Newtown High School, was spotted painting house

numbers on the road in front of each driveway last Saturday. The road is

confusing to fire, police and ambulance because many of the mailboxes are not

marked and the house numbers are not sequential.

Believing that this project could someday save a life, James is hoping it will

help earn him an Eagle Scout badge by Christmas. He is being supported by the

United Volunteer Fire Company of Botsford, of which his father, Jim, was once

an active member.

"My dad always remembered Huntingtown Road being a tough one. It's difficult

to find houses on that road," James said.

James is working closely with Botsford company president Jay Nezvesky.

The toughest part of the project may have been the preparation. This would-be

Eagle Scout first had to gain approvals from First Selectman Herb Rosenthal,

Public Works Director Fred Hurley, and Police Lt David Lydem. He also polled

20 percent of the Huntingtown homeowners -- only one resident opposed the

idea.

"If they don't want it, they don't have to have it," he said.

James used his father's map, which had been used during fire company fund

drives a few years back. "That's been pretty accurate. I'm also going up to

each house to verify the house number and to make sure it's OK with the

homeowners," he explained.

Huntingtown Road will eventually be paved and/or chip sealed, which means

James' numbers won't be around forever. However, he is hoping others who come

after him will carry on the project. Also, Huntingtown Road is not the only

confusing road in town. Houses on Brushy Hill Road can also be difficult to

find. James also considered painting numbers on that road. However, he decided

two roads might be too much. Other Scouts may want to hit a different part of

town, James said.

Last weekend, the team of painters started at the Monroe end of Huntingtown

Road and worked its way to Meadowbrook Road. The project should be done by the

end of the month.

James is taking part in the project under the guidance of Eagle Scout adviser

Steve Labianco.

"There was so much planning and coordination involved. Just getting the

approvals is a project in itself," James said.

The ambitious Newtown scout said he hopes to someday teach either history or

science.