POST STORM UPDATE 07/11/23

Dear fellow residents,

            It is sure nice to see the sun! I am taking this opportunity to share a post storm public infrastructure update to the community. The recent storms certainly challenged some Town infrastructure, but overall, there was minimal damage to roads, buildings, and other infrastructure. Belgo Road sustained minor damage to a short section but both lanes were passable, and the highway crew is in the process of making repairs.

             The wastewater collection system has and continues to be taxed due to stormwater. The Town doesn’t have a combined stormwater/wastewater collection system but during heavy storms and during the spring thaw the wastewater collection system receives a higher-than-normal volume of water. Our wastewater team hasn’t been able to identify or locate where infiltration is happening, so today I reached out to Vermont Rural Water for assistance. The high volume of stormwater keeps some very expensive pumps running for long periods of time with little rest. Some of these pumps are old and this last storm led to the demise of another pump at the Sucker Brook pump station. Availability of new pumps as well as rebuilding old pumps is a constraint. This is partly due to the unavailability of contractors and partly to do with supply chain shortfalls. The team is working diligently to keep the collection system and treatment facility operational. I consider it a success because even though the storm is operating in “Storm Mode”, there hasn’t been discharge of untreated effluent into the Castleton River. According to wastewater technician Jeff Jordan, the amount of material coming into the wastewater treatment facility is greater during this storm than it was during Tropical Storm Irene.

            On Sunday afternoon and into the evening, members of the Castleton Volunteer Fire Department, Castleton Police Department, Castleton Department of Public Works, and Castleton Emergency Management work collectively to plan, respond, monitor, and mitigate effects from the storm. This includes clearing trees from roads, responding to downed power lines, responding to basements flooding, a sewer pump station generator failure, and a pump station ready to overflow due to a pump failure. We are blessed to have such a dedicated and compassionate group of people who are trained and prepared to aid the community in a time of need.

             The President of the United States has declared a State of Emergency for Vermont. I ask anyone that experienced damage to a home or property due to the stormwater to report the damage(s) to the Town Office using the “Contact Us or Report a Concern” at the top of the page. The website address is https://www.castletonvermont.org. Please report the address the damage occurred and an estimated cost of the damage(s). I will report the damage to the Rutland Regional Planning Commission. Those who have, or still may, experience damage should still report damage to their homeowner’s insurance. Reporting it to the Town is not a substitute for your homeowners’ insurance. The damages reported will be used by FEMA to determine if the Town qualifies for FEMA assistance. Anybody displaced from their residence due to storm damage should contact the American Red Cross or call 211 for assistance with housing needs.

            I remain grateful that our community was spared the violent effects of this storm that many of our fellow Vermonters experienced. The Town of Castleton are participating members of the Rutland County Fire Mutual Aid and the Rutland County DPW Mutual Aid groups. The Castleton Volunteer Fire Department and Castleton Department of Public Works stand ready to help a neighboring community with equipment and manpower, as the situation allows. I ask we keep those communities who have been devastated by this storm in our thoughts and try to help others whenever and wherever possible.

Respectfully,

Mike