Selectmen review hotel power outage that triggered emergency response and potential relocations

The Willington Board of Selectmen heard an account of a predawn emergency response after a local hotel lost electricity for nonpayment, activating a dry-system sprinkler and setting off alarms that drew the fire marshal and town officials to the site.

First Selectman said crews discovered seven occupied rooms, of which five were long-term residents, and that the sprinkler system lost air pressure and charged with water. Firefighters set up lighting in stairways and monitored the building until power was restored midday.

Because the town briefly considered relocating residents, First Selectman explained the legal risk: under the town’s relocation obligations, if the municipality forces someone from their residence it becomes responsible for costs associated with moving them, including temporary lodging and transportation. That potential liability is what prompted the selectmen to convene an emergency meeting the morning of the incident.

Officials said the owner of the hotel was eventually reached and arrangements were made to restore power; town staff and the fire department will continue follow-up, including questions about long-term use of the property as housing. Board members noted the hotel may have been in violation of codes restricting long-term residency at that location and cautioned against forcing residents into the street when medical needs (oxygen, dialysis) were present.

The board did not adopt an immediate enforcement action at the meeting; First Selectman said the matter remained under review by health, fire and legal staff and would generate additional meetings to determine next steps.