Date: Fri 24-Sep-1999

Publication: Bee

Author: STEVEB

Quick Words:

flood-weather-Rosenthal

Full Text:

Local Crews Commended For Flood Response

(with photos)

BY STEVE BIGHAM

First Selectman Herb Rosenthal this week commended both the town's emergency

services and highway crews for their swift and efficient work during last

week's storm.

Between Thursday and Friday, Newtown's five volunteer fire companies responded

to a total of 45 calls. Ironically, many of those calls came on Friday when

numerous power lines came down all over town. There were also nearly two dozen

calls for flooded basements, and a handful of calls to rescue motorists

trapped inside flooded cars.

Hurricane Floyd caused considerable damage, but experts had expected it to be

even more severe. With that in mind, Newtown's emergency management team,

headed by Bill Halstead, was prepared for the worst. Newtown Middle School and

all the local fire departments were prepared with cots and blankets in case

residents were forced to leave their homes.

Also busy last week were members of the highway crew, who worked through the

night to ensure motorists' safety. Mr Rosenthal, who might have had to order

workers in, was appreciative of the handful of men who volunteered to work

overtime. Headed by director Fred Hurley and crew leader Milt Adams, they

rushed around putting up "road closed" signs, cut down trees, attempted to fix

drainage problems and ensured that all dirt roads were passable. That group

included George Birch, Anthony Cappozziello, Ray Disbrow, John Ferris, Michael

Heneghan, Buddy Ingraham, Glenn Miller, William Moseley, Dave Peck, Joe Pratt

and Rob Toth.

"Those guys feel like they just did their job, but they really did an

exceptional job," said Mr Hurley, who was drenched when an oblivious driver

sped through more than a foot of water as he was standing alongside Currituck

Road.

The Hawleyville area seemed to suffer the worst flooding as Obtuse Road,

Butterfield Road, Pond Brook Road and parts of Route 25 were immersed in

water.

Newtown was fortunate not to suffer major power outages, although some areas

were left in the dark. Mr Hurley said CL&P's tree-cutting program this summer

paid dividends. Litchfield, a town not known for tree cutting, suffered power

outages all over town. Friday's strong wind gusts caused only minor problems

here, however.