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New Canaan To Hear From Residents About Sandy Response

NEW CANAAN, Conn.  – How did New Canaan respond to Hurricane Sandy? Town emergency management officials want to find out from residents at a community meeting on Thursday.

New Canaan residents will get to tell town officials about how they responded to Hurricane Sandy at a forum being held Thursday at New Canaan High School.

New Canaan residents will get to tell town officials about how they responded to Hurricane Sandy at a forum being held Thursday at New Canaan High School.

Photo Credit: Melvin Mason

The New Canaan Office of Emergency Management will have a public discussion on its response to the hurricane starting at 7 p.m. in the Wagner Room at New Canaan High School. Staff from most town emergency agencies and Connecticut Light & Power will be on hand.

First Selectman Robert Mallozzi III said it’s beneficial for the town to hear from residents about what was done well by officials responding to the storm and what can be done better. “We always want to improve,” Mallozzi said. “While we think we did a good job, we need to hear from (residents). It’s a very important part of the process.”

The talk might include discussion of where the town’s emergency shelter should be and discussion of cellphone coverage in emergencies. Emergency Management Director Mike Handler said some of the best ideas and suggestions come from discussions such as these.

A similar meeting was held by former First Selectman Judy Neville after a major storm in 2006. Mallozzi said he doesn’t expect to receive all blame or all praise for the town’s work in the aftermath of the storm, which left many residents without power for a week and caused more than 100 road closures.

“Not everyone knocks on my door or calls me or sends me an email,” Mallozzi said. Hearing from the residents is “part and parcel of good management.”

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