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LaGrange officials, residents praise highway crews and press utility for faster storm response after July storms
Summary
Town officials and residents described extensive storm damage, commended highway crews’ work to clear roads, and pressed Central Hudson about delays clearing downed wires that impeded emergency access. Highway Superintendent John Wisman described the town’s coordinated multi‑crew response.
Residents and town officials at the July 15 LaGrange board meeting described significant storm damage from July 4-era storms and credited local crews, volunteers and neighboring agencies for cleanup while raising concerns about electric-utility response times.
Highway Superintendent John Wisman gave a detailed account of the town’s response: crews mobilized early with multiple machines, chainsaws and pickup trucks; work prioritized opening main routes and keeping residents safe while avoiding hazards near downed power lines. Wisman said the crew performed triage across the town’s 121 miles of road and remained in close contact with the fire district and county dispatch.
Many residents and town officials praised the highway and fire crews. "My hat is off to our department and our town," said Victor Zamyloff, a former first responder. Several residents recounted neighbors cutting brush and crews helping older residents get into houses.
At least two residents and the fire commissioner pressed Central Hudson about the pace of restoring service and clearing live wires, saying delays blocked emergency access in some neighborhoods. Commissioner Mark Dimorski said the old glass building at the Gateway Hamlet is structurally compromised and urged remediation; the board said staff and the town attorney were investigating options.
Supervisor Marinaro said town staff contacted Central Hudson multiple times and worked with county dispatch to prioritize critical locations. Residents urged a clearer public reporting channel for downed trees and hazards; the board recommended calling 911 for immediate hazards and offered to provide staff help locating posted documents or contacts.
Several speakers asked whether the storm involved confirmed tornadoes; staff described local reports of funnel clouds and called the event a macroburst with two possible funnel-cloud sightings, but said formal meteorological confirmation was not reported at the meeting.
The board said cleanup was continuing and asked residents to be patient while the town finishes hazardous-priority work and coordinates with Central Hudson for areas that require the utility’s action.
