Ice, Water Distribution Continues at Reed on Thursday

With power restoration slowly proceeding, the town was making arrangements to help residents stock up on supplies and essential services.

Volunteers were at Reed Intermediate School distributing water and ice Wednesday with another round planned for Thursday between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.

One volunteer, David Boughton, who showed up to assist in distributing the supplies Wednesday said he lives on Currituck Road and wanted to help out as much as possible.

Boughton, who has volunteered on other occasions in town, said he also knows how hard it is to lose power, although he hasn't had to experience it with this past storm.

"We never lost power," he said, lowering his voice as he said it. "I feel so guilty."

Anne Kutka, 71, of Sugar Street, was among those picking up ice at Reed Wednesday.

She and her husband lost power Sunday after the storm and had gone to Reed school to use the shower. The loss of electricity had been hard, she said, and when asked what was the most difficult part, she didn't hesitate in her answer.

"The loss of food," she said, and as she began listing the items, starting with beef filet, tears began forming in her eyes. "I was doing OK before you asked."

In addition to Reed, which had limited facilities, Newtown High School and Masonicare at Newtown were offering shower use to residents.

Elderly and disabled residents in need of help with services also can contact the first selectman at 203-270-4201.

Residents who lost electricity are asked to throw away all of their perishable food in the refrigerator.

Covered dumpsters are available for food disposal, courtesy of Associated Refuse Haulers, at the Botsford and Hawleyville volunteer fire departments and at Newtown High School. They will be marked "Food Waste Only." Residents also can throw out food waste at the transfer station free of charge and without a permit, officials said.

In addition to residents who lost power, the storm has worn on emergency responders, including volunteer firefighters, who have gone to numerous calls of dangerous road conditions and basement flooding pump-outs.

For instance, Sandy Hook volunteer firefighters reported they responded to close to 110 calls in three and a half days following the storm.