Tag Archives: Irene

BETHEL — Irene left town 192 days earlier, but the storm that wrecked roads, homes and millions of dollars worth of infrastructure claimed one more casualty on Town Meeting Day.
By a 122-74 vote, 12-year Select Board incumbent Bill Richards lost his latest re-election bid to newcomer Bill Hall whose supporters were critical of the town’s handling of the post-Irene recovery efforts.
“I’m not happy with the way the town responded to the flood victims needs,” said resident Eleanor Griffin. “We need someone like Bill Hall because of the big issues with the transfer station and the flood.”
Hall didn’t talk about the recovery efforts during his address to the voters, but Richards defended his own conduct and that of town employees who he said went above and beyond the call of duty in the days after the storm brought ruin to 70 miles of road, nine bridges, the town’s water and sewer system and numerous private properties.
“Our infrastructure was wiped out by Mother Nature,” Richards said. “Even though we tried hard to please everyone it didn’t always happen. I can tell you we were focused, prepared and well managed when the storm hit. The town of Bethel is strong and resilient and with help and assistance we’ve come a long ways in 192 days.”

More to come in the Rutland Herald