To the Editor:

On August 4 Tropical Storm Isaias caused tremendous damage in our town. A tree that fell on wires near us on Osborne Hill Road was removed several days after the storm, and our power was restored after four days. A large, obviously damaged wire remained hanging down into the middle of the road near Sutherland Drive. Cones were set up, and a sign “Road Closed to Through Traffic” was set up. Traffic, including mail trucks, was diverted several miles out of the way to reach our neighborhood. Cars initially obeyed the signs, but started after some days going around the cones and sign and driving under and right next to the wires.

Concerned about this ongoing hazardous situation, yesterday (two weeks after the storm) I called the Highway Department, and was told to contact Eversource as they could do nothing about wires. Calling Eversource was an exercise in frustration management, but finally after three or so hours was able to talk to a real person. They said they could do nothing, as that wire belonged to Frontier (cable company). More phone calls to Frontier where I finally was able to talk to a technician who made up a ticket for repair. As I write, the Frontier repair crew is working on the wire.

My point is, why did it require a private citizen to figure out who was responsible for the wire hanging down in the middle of our street and arrange for a repair truck to come? Shouldn’t there be a process of communication and coordination between the town and different companies who own and manage the wires and cables? An attitude of “someone else’s equipment — therefore not my job and not my problem” lets hazardous situations exist for far too long.

In the coming review of all that went wrong in preparing for and responding to the storm, I hope there is major effort made to create a better process. Next time will likely be sooner than we think.

Sincerely,

Barbara Richardson

31 Osborne Hill Road, Sandy Hook August 19, 2020