Table Of Content

WILBRAHAMPUBLIC LIBRARY 8135 00060 945 3 J Annual Report Town Wilbraham of 2005 — “Be Prepared” notjustfor scouts! WILBRAHAM PUBLIC LIBRARY Town Wilbraham of Town ofWilbraham 1 Annual Report 2005 7 Table of Contents 3 Foreword S(0)°9)@ Public Safety Recognitions, Commendations Police Department - 80 Central Dispatch - 85 In Memoriam & Retirees Fire Department - 85 5)j Board of Fire Commissioners - 88 Local Emergency Planning Committee - 89 11(0) Wilbraham Quick Facts Ambulance Oversight Committee - 90 UH Directory, Town Departments 9)@a(5)9) Building, Land Use Building Department - 90 Hg Federal & State Delegation Planning Board - 91 Conservation Commission - 94 Zoning Board ofAppeals - 95 Town Officials Open Space Plan Committee - 97 Elected Officials - 13 Fair Housing Committee - 99 Department Directors - 14 Sealer ofWeights & Measures - 99 Appointed Boards & Committees - 15 Town Political Committees - 19 H@@°H(Q)(5) Human Services Council on Aging - 100 SO Scheduled Meetings Veterans Services - 101 Commission on Disabilities - 103 Housing Authority - 104 Administration Health Agent & Title V Inspector - 105 Town Clerk - 21 Public Health Nurse - 106 Board of Selectmen - 39 Dog Officer / Animal Control - 107 Public Safety Building Committee - 41 Board of Cemetery Commissioners - 108 Major Projects Review Committee - 42 Grange Hall Study Committee - 43 & 21(09 Recreation Culture Personnel Board - 44 Information Technology - 44 Recreation Department - 109 Public Library - 112 Finance Public Access Television - 1 1 Cable TV Advisory Committee - 1 18 Treasurer / Collector - 45 Cultural Council - 1 19 Board ofAssessors - 53 Historical Commission - 120 Town Accountant - 57 Historic District Study Committee - 121 Finance Committee - 64 Community Gardens - 121 Capital Planning Committee - 65 Community Preservation Committee - 65 Schools Hampden-Wilbraham School District - 122 (§c§>qI7?(^) Public Works Wilbraham & Monson Academy - 142 Department of Public Works - 68 Water Commissioners - 77 Community Solid Waste Advisory Committee - 78 Tree Warden - 78 Atheneum Society - 143 Insect Pest Control - 79 Country Club ofWilbraham - 144 Children’s Museum - 144 Town ofWilbraham 2 Annual Report 2005 Foreword IREJARE, EREVEHT, MOTICT, RESEOHD JPJLAW, In 2005, natural disasters around the world seemed to conspire to test the abilities of government to respond. In the United States, hurricane season required action by local, state, and federal agencies. Hurricane Katrina was the biggest, most widespread, most costly natural disaster in living memory. Regrettably, the government response was not always as effective and efficient as we would like. Locally, Wilbraham had flooding from relentless rain over several days in October. Twenty- three roads were inundated and damaged from rushing water; individual property owners had flooded basements, yards, and garages. Our Department of Public Works, Fire Department, Police Department, town administrative staff, Building Inspector, and Health Agent all participated in a prompt and appropriate local response. Town officials worked closely with Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to assess and evaluate damage to roads, bridges, and infrastructure. Ten of our damaged areas were estimated to run from $10,000 to $65,000 to stabilize and rebuild. After all was said and done, the town’s infrastructure damage approached half a million dollars, and we have reasonable expectation that 75% of the costs will be reimbursed by FEMA. The town also welcomed FEMA’s evaluation of structural damage to private property. Some homeowners, displaced from damaged homes, qualified for direct federal assistance and were pleased with FEMA’s responsiveness. Communicating with affected residents about the local situation is a huge challenge, particularly when the power is out. Coordinating with all the officials and agencies - including volunteer organizations - is critical. People need to know that their local officials are speaking clearly and that their directions are motivated by the highest purpose to preserve life and property. Wilbraham has an active and very professional emergency management team. A Local Emergency Planning Committee actively participates in reviewing plans; members include representatives from the schools, town departments, local industry, health specialists, and the media. When each emergency situation (or training drill) draws to a close, it is evaluated to expose strengths and weaknesses in our capacity to respond, even when totally unique conditions are present. What is learned is incorporated into the collective plan, guiding future responses. Wilbraham’s 451-page Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan (CEMP) outlines the responsibilities of town officials and departments and how they willMcIoopXerIatGe aAndTiInteOracKt with other emergency responders in the region. The bywords are IREEAREIHES9 (activities to eliminate and reduce the probability of disaster), Town ofWilbraham 3 Annual Report 2005 KESIOHSE (activities to anticipate critical emergency needs), (activities to prevent RECOVEEY loss of lives and property and provide emergency assistance), and (short- and long-term activities to return all systems to normal and improve standards). The plans and responsibilities outlined in the CEMP cover the most common risk situations for central New England: winter storms, hurricanes and, less often but just as disruptive, flooding. It also covers dam failure, earthquakes and tornadoes. And, although it makes us all uneasy to think about man-made emergencies, the plan covers civil disturbance, terrorism, weapons attacks, and exposure to hazardous materials. The CEMP anticipates disaster evacuations, and designates nine shelters with capacity for 6130 people. Appropriate supplies are stored in three locations for possible use in such events. While Wilbraham government plans, prepares, prevents, and responds, all residents must also take responsibility to be prepared in their own homes. Neighbors should reach out and be willing to help each other. On the next page is an emergency planner for you to clip out and keep with your home emergency kit. Board of Selectmen Kevin J. Moriarty David W. Barry James E. Thompson AfIRECIATIOI LOCAL EMERGEICY RISIONST JF©H 2005 It is impossible to list every name of every person who was instrumental in responding to the flood conditions of October 2005: Every firefighter, every police officer, every dispatcher, every DPW worker, and a considerable number of other town employees assisted with communications, responding to questions about health, building safety, or wetlands protection, as well as directing homeowners to other agencies for assistance. Each contributor has our unqualified appreciation for the prompt response and patience working long hours on behalf of the public good. THE LOCAL EMEReEHCY ILAmmCO COMMITTEE Fran Nothe, Emergency Management Director Ray Kallaugher, Co-chair (police) David Bourcier, Co-chair (fire) Tom Bonavita (industry) Ralph Guyer (fire comm) Bradley Pinney (ambulance) David W. Barry (selectmen) Dorothy Hooper (seniors) Robert A. Ruszeck Claudia Considine (medical) Lorri McCool (health) Stoughton Smead (con comm) Caroline Cunningham (media) Edmond J. Miga (DPW) Allen M. Stratton (police) William J. Fogarty (admin) Steve Nembirkow (schools) Nick Yarmac (haz mat) Town ofWilbraham 4 Annual Report 2005