Anyone remember this photo? It was one of many taken during the aftermath of Hurricane Irene in 2011. Townspeople dug out from under as we always do. But Town Manager Maxbauer had to scramble because of new FEMA post-Katrina bureaucratic compliance regarding debris removal. What a hassle. But it all got done including the rebuilding of Town Hall. That building was made unusable and we had to spend money to rebuild it because a prior Town Manager, one who was unfamiliar with the Town, discontinued flood insurance. But the recent Hurricane Arthurs experience raises another issue. Townspeople dug out once again, albeit not as much as with Irene. Town Halls direction after the piles were accumulating was a bit different - In capital letters we were told late, a full week after the storm, that the Town WILL NOT do debris cleanup. Interesting concept. I suppose that applies to Town right of ways, etc? A Town crew eventually showed up after several e-mails and I helped them load two pickup trucks out here in the White Farm area of debris neighbors cleared from the drainage ditches. My own storm debris is still piled in the woods of my side yard by the way. I will take it to the landfill when I get around to it. Town Hall was very helpful telling me where the landfill is, a place I have been using for 8 years. Clarification is needed here folks. Now, I always remove vegetative debris from my yard, usually every other month or so and especially in the fall. In storms, I generally help others in getting their debris to the street or with my chain saw. The neighbors even generally take care of the roadways and culverts. Not all of us have trailers and pickup trucks. I am 68 years old and I like to help the elderly. :) So in normal circumstances, we all just remove it.. But during past storms, many of us ASSUMED that the Town will do debris pickup from roadways and culverts. Some areas accumulate branches greater than others. Having a really good emergency response plan also might be a good thing, one that town citizens are aware of; and I think one of the Town Commissioners, Larry Summers has actually pushed for that. Maybe we have one now. But just because FEMA funds are not available does this now mean, under this new Town Manager, that there will be NO cleanup by Town crews? And to wait for so many days to send out an e-mail to send out guidance, after the piles accumulated? I was informed when I asked repeatedly that guidance went out much earlier but the server must have eaten the e-mail. Hmmm.... And the curfew that was imposed? First time I remember that; but I have only been a property owned here for 11 years. I guess that worked. I didnt care. Most sensible people dont go out in that stuff anyway. You see, lately I perceive there are two Towns, the one that most of us live in and another one that lives inside of Town Hall. Heck, maybe it has always been that way.
Posted on: Sat, 02 Aug 2014 14:32:49 +0000
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