City, state officials update residents on recovery efforts

Date: 6/14/2011

June 13, 2011

By G. Michael Dobbs

Managing Editor

SPRINGFIELD — The audience of more than 100 people gathered in the cafeteria at the Milton Bradley Elementary School on June 8 for a community meeting were given much information, but three major action steps stood out: call the city's 3-1-1 line with any questions; register with the American Red Cross as a victim of the tornado by calling 737-4306 exts. 1918 or 1946; and, if housing is an issue, go to the Office of Department of Transitional Assistance at 95 Liberty St. to complete a housing triage form.

Cell phone users should call the city government by dialing 736-3111.

Mayor Domenic Sarno said, "The resiliency has been tremendous." He drew applause with the remark, "Let me tell you we're going to come back bigger and stronger."

Ward Three City Councilor Melvin Edwards and State Rep. Cheryl Coakley-Rivera organized and chaired the event, the first half devoted to the needs of residents, with another part aimed at answering questions from businesses.

A major part of Main Street in the South End was still closed last week as workers had yet to finish necessary demolitions.

Representatives of many city departments updated the audience and then answered individual questions privately. Fire Department Deputy Chief Phil Costello urged the residents to call the department with any issues. Police Capt. Thomas Trites said the overtime being put in by the police has not diminished the city's 9-1-1 response. He added that police are "looking out for people who don't belong [in the affected neighborhoods]."

Lee Hettinger, chief of the Western Massachusetts office of the attorney general, said that people should be using only registered contractors for repairs and be aware of people trying to take advantage of the situation.

He noted one report his office has received was an estimate of $4,500 for the removal of a tree from a shed from one contractor that actually only cost $600 from another. People should call his office at 784-1220 with any questions.

Building Commissioner Steven Desilets explained that property owners who are concerned about a structure with an orange or red "X" painted on it should call his office at 787-6031.

He said the "X" doesn't necessarily mean the building is going to be demolished, but rather that people should not be entering the building. Members of his department are re-evaluating buildings and the list of condemned buildings is decreasing with second looks.

City Forester Edward Casey asked people to call to his office if they see trees that could fall on either sidewalks or city streets, while Christopher Cignoli, chief engineer for the Department of Public Works, urged residents to report damaged sidewalks or curbing. They can be reached through the 3-1-1 number.

Candy Lash, the spokesperson for the Dakin Pioneer Valley Humane Society, said the group's offices at 171 Union St. have re-opened. The building sustained hundreds of thousands of dollars of damage from the tornado, she noted.

Dakin is working in conjunction with the Thomas J. O'Connor Animal Control and Adoption Center (TJO), 627 Cottage St., in addressing the needs of animals and their owners.

Lash said that Dakin is the place to go if a resident needs to relinquish a pet because of new living arrangements due to the tornado or if temporary shelter for a pet is needed. Dakin will house and provide care for five days, she said.

If a Springfield resident finds a stray animal, it should be brought to TJO.

Both organizations are seeking donations of pet food and basic supplies to help those people who are keeping their pets in the tornado-affected area, but may be having financial problems.