Seymour Fire Chief Chris Edwards
SEYMOUR – At a Board of Selectpersons meeting on Tuesday (Sept. 17), Seymour Fire Chief Chris Edwards gave his latest update of what’s been happening since the historic Aug. 18 flash flooding caused extensive damage along the Little River a month ago.
Edwards is also the town’s emergency operations director. He said:
*The state Department of Transportation (DOT) has started clearing debris from the sides of Route 67 and is making minor repairs to the bridge at West Street, near the Russian-American Club, at 20 Church St, and Route 67.
*River Street (state-owned Route 313) reopened to two-way traffic on Sept. 6 after temporary repairs were made. About 1,000 feet of the road, near the intersection of River Street and Route 67, damaged from raging flood waters. The temporary fix shifted the road to allow traffic to pass through, Edwards said. Contractors have been working on a permanent fix to the road. Edwards said the permanent repairs are expected to be complete within the next two weeks.
*River Street will be open and usable for Seymour Pink’s upcoming 13th annual Pounding the Pavement for Pink 5K road race, scheduled for 9 a.m. on Oct. 5.
*The Route 67 bridge at Fritz’s Snack Bar at 72 Oxford Rd. (Route 67) in Oxford remains closed. The DOT plans to install a temporary bridge, which is expected to be operational within the next two few weeks. In the meantime, Edwards said increased traffic on Woodside Avenue, being used as a detour because of the bridge closure, has led to congestion. The police department has tried to station an officer at the Woodside and Route 67 intersection, Monday through Friday, to help manage traffic flow.
*On Mill Street, the damaged sewer line has been replaced, and temporary backfilling of the road has been done to ensure safety of residents and vehicles.
*Within the next two weeks, town engineer B&B Engineering will conduct an evaluation of all affected riverbanks and culverts to assess any underlying problems that may have arisen from the flood. This assessment will be a key part of the town’s long-term recovery efforts and recovery planning.
*Edwards said while he remains optimistic that the majority of the closed businesses in Klarides Village can reopen in December, a setback with trying to acquire an electrical part for a switch panel there may push that date back.
*The fire department’s boat which was damaged in the flood will be replaced through insurance, with the department having to pick up the $250 deductible. Edwards said he plans to submit that to FEMA for reimbursement.
