MINUTES
EMERGENCY SELECTMEN’S
MEETING
SUNDAY, MAY 14, 2006
PRESENT: Chairman Paula Proulx, Vice-Chairman Paul Parker, Selectmen Marty Gilman and Gerald McCarthy, Fire Chief Rich Fowler, Police Chief Scott Roberge, Webcat Manager Ed McMullen, Emergency Management Director Deb Lee, Superintendent Brian Blake, Principal Joel Chagnon, Public Works Director Joel Moulton, Water & Wastewater Superintendent Dale Sprague, Emergency Preparedness Director Deb Lee, Reporter John Nolan, and Town Administrator Paul Weston.
At 6:05 PM the meeting was convened by Chairman Paula Proulx, who called the emergency meeting in order to brief everyone on the Town’s response to the severe rainstorm event which began Saturday, May 13. Over seven inches of rain has fallen in the last twenty-four hours, with additional rain predicted. Each Department Head explained conditions and actions their Department had taken, including, in summary, the following:
1. The Police Department storage area has been flooded with approximately 5 inches of water
2. Buses from the school have been offered if needed for transport of larger groups
3. Discussion was held on various dams which are threatening to be breached when water crests in the coming hours.
4. School will be closed tomorrow (Monday), and probably Tuesday.
5. All barricades, cones and yellow tape are out to block roadways.
6. Elderly housing was checked and found to be in order.
7. Electricity and telephone communication is up and running, except for individual houses which have been inundated with water and shut down by Public Service
8. Fuel access for Town vehicles is up and running, however water has threatened Route 75, creating a problem of access.
9. The Fire Department has assisted in the evacuation of several homes, including one location where ropes had to be used due to the swiftness of the current. All occupants had friends or relatives which they can stay with.
10. Bridge inspection is on going; NH DOT has inspected the South Main Street Bridge which was almost crested with water.
11. Roads impassable at this time include: Cross Street, Paulson Road, Bay Road, Spring Street, Ten Rod Road, Meaderboro Road, River Road, Meetinghouse Hill Road, Cocheco Road, Winter Street, Central Street, Water Street, Poor Farm Road, and Reservoir Road. Public Work Director Joel Moulton will prioritize repairs based on traffic, use, and reducing the number of isolated or stranded houses.
12. Public Works Director Joel Moulton has engaged private equipment to assist Town crews and equipment, including a flat bed, dump trucks, vibratory roller, and a dozer.
13. He was advised to undertake improvements, which will mitigate future water problems, as FEMA and NH Emergency Management, would support such action and it is a wise investment of Federal and State moneys.
14. Water system water is drinkable, although turbidity may be a problem.
15. The wastewater treatment plant has been inundated with water and is flowing at six times the design capacity.
16. Town crews and materials will do driveway repairs when time permits, however the main roads will be the focus of attention for several days.
17. Ed Mullen will announce school closing via the access channel, and post useful phone numbers.
18. The Fire Department continues to pump cellars where possible.
19. Crews have been rotated in and out, attempting to give employees adequate rest.
Respectfully submitted,
R. Paul Weston, Town Administrator
Town of Farmington
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