The survey was available from December 15 to December 22 for residents to share their 2011 memories.

Tropical Storm Irene, which came through Newtown in late August, and Winter Storm Alfred, which passed through in October, were both top mentions in the open-ended survey results.

Whether mentioned by name or only by the storms’ results, both storms seemed to make 2011 a memorable year for survey responders.

“The extended power outages,” one responder wrote as their most impacting memories from 2011.

Another responder also noted Newtown’s two stints of power outages, while another only mentioned the October “winter” storm as the most memorable event of 2011.

“The two storms and seeing how our community got together to help one another,” one survey responder wrote. That repsonder added, “However, I did see where we as individuals are not prepared and need to really listen and heed the advise of the Emergency Management people [Emergency Management Director and Sandy Hook Fire Chief William Halstead/ Health District Director Donna Culbert/ Emergency Communications Director Maureen Will].”

Another responder also mentioned the “tremendous tree damage” that followed the October storm’s wake.

“Weather, weather, weather — blizzard, tropical storm, Winter Storm Alfred!” one person wrote.

Two other responders mentioned the Board of Education’s decision to award the 2012–17 transportation contract for regular education transportation in Newtown to All-Star Transportation of Torrington over Newtown’s traditional service providers, individually contracted owner-operators.

“The transportation fiasco,” one commenter wrote.

While another said, “Board of Education throwing the owner-operators under the bus!”

Other 2011 memories mentioned by online responders included Britain’s Prince William and Kate Middleton’s wedding, the delayed Labor Day Parade, and the Light the Night Walk for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, held at Fairfield Hills on September 24.