Fred El-Haddad says he is grateful for how New Glasgow residents are recovering from the recent post-tropical storm, including on the west side of town.
El-Haddad and Joe MacDonald are members of the Town Council and represent the Third Ward, which makes up the West. It sustained some of the damage from the wind and rain that blew over the state when Hurricane Fiona made landfall and turned into a post-tropical storm.
“This is a historic event. It’s definitely something new,” El Haddad said. “There have been a lot of challenges, but the response has been really good. The town is doing its best to help clean up. Our transformer was knocked out and destroyed an entire street for 72 hours.”
He said the process has begun to shift from restoring power to cutting down trees and branches.
“Restoring power is the main focus, but the current focus is clearing debris left in the front yard by residents.”
A massive response was required along Abercrombie Road between Westside Plaza and Elm Street. Fallen trees and broken utility poles protracted the response, but also the obvious task of restoring general power and communications.
“A lot of big trees fell down, which delayed the restoration of power poles on the telecom side,” he said. “We were late because we had trouble getting poles from out of state.”
El-Haddad praised facilities such as Ward One and the North End Recreation Center for hosting those in need after the storm.
“Ward One was great,” he said. “They prepared meals, provided charging stations, and provided things for the children to play with. That’s what makes us a strong community. We support each other.”
El-Haddad said he saw mixed feelings among the people as power was restored for himself and others.
“After the power was on, seeing it powered up in another part of town, I knew how it felt. I don’t have a generator.”
The town shared a notice on its website that it has begun collecting curbside trees.
Public works will prioritize highways and school areas first, then collect items placed in front of houses as soon as possible.
Residents are being reminded not to block roads and sidewalks and to only pick up large objects.
Smaller items are designated in green bins or bags for leaf pick-up, and the bags are separated from larger materials.
The actual leaves fall from November 1st.
