Norton Prepares for Hurricane Season

(Written by Local Editor Jeff Sullivan)

Norton Fire Chief Paul Schleicher said residents should be on their guard even more this hurricane season, even if residents think they’ve got the hang of it.

“One of the things, we did notice that was better with Hurricane Sandy than Tropical Storm Irene was that people didn’t seem to call us as much,” he said. “Either people were more self sufficient or it hit Norton differently, I don’ t know.”

Schleicher said this year people should stock and stay stocked up. He used the example of Bay Road during Sandy, in which residents with well water had prepared for losing their water by filling up their tubs and receptacles for drinking and flushing water.

During that incident, Schleicher said residents had their power only flicker for a few seconds at a time. He said this was because a tree had fallen on the line but didn’t cut the line. When the storm was over they still had power, but only for a while.

“Keep them filled for far longer than you think you need,” he said.

Schleicher added the lack of flushing water for toliets led to serious sanitation issues. In some cases, power was actually cut to some areas to allow repairs for others

“You never know how much of the town they have to shut down to make repairs,” he said.

Emergency Management Agency Deputy Raymond Cord showcased the FEMA emergency preparedness kit for the Norton Board of Selectmen during Schleicher’s presentation. The kit contained a first aid kit, a dust mask, work gloves and sheeted plastic among other things.

“Along with the infamous duct tape,” he said.

Schleicher said the department currently has access to an emergency generator, but can only use it with the permission of the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency. 

He said they are currently looking into options for an emergency generator the town would own and use for a shelter for residents so they would not necessarily have to go and use the Attleboro regional shelter during a time of emergency.

“We hope to give at least a little bit of shelter to residents,” he said.