(Editor’s note: This letter is the October First Selectman’s letter that appears on the Beacon Falls town website.)
To the editor,
The month of September began on an upbeat note in Beacon Falls. A ground-breaking ceremony was held at Chatfield Farms on Sept. 4, welcoming new developer/builder EG Home, owned by Matt Gilchrist and David Earp. Both new and existing homes are being offered for sale in the adult community; check it out. We welcome EG Home to Beacon Falls and wish them much success.
On not such a good note, a structure fire on Blackberry Hill Road resulted in the total loss of the house. The homeowner, who was injured in the Sept. 8 fire, was hospitalized for an extended time and has since been released. Two firefighters were also injured fighting the inferno. I spent the day on scene with the men and women of Beacon Hose Company No. 1, and saw first-hand the commitment they have to keeping our town safe. A building or car fire that is intentionally set for training purposes is one thing, but a fire that engulfs an actual home is a very different experience for our firefighters. This structure fire, coupled with a second structure fire two days later on Main Street, reminds us to always be aware that fires can happen at any time. Therefore, I encourage you to attend the Fire Prevention Open House on Oct. 9 from 6 to 9 p.m. at the firehouse to review fire prevention and safety. While there, please express your gratitude and appreciation to our firefighters and EMS personnel. Not only do they fight fires and run to the aid of the distressed, in all kinds of weather and at all times of the day and night, but Beacon Hose also organized a fundraising dinner for the two families that suffered loss.
DiGiorgi Roofing and Siding hosted a Valley Chamber of Commerce event at their company headquarters, located in the Pinesbridge Commerce Park. Events such as these bring area business owners to Beacon Falls and offer opportunities to showcase what our town has to offer businesses wishing to expand or relocate. Thank you to the entire DiGiorgi family for calling Beacon Falls home.
As you travel north on South Main Street, you have obviously noticed the construction project that has reduced the roadway to one lane. A rotted metal retaining wall is being replaced, and a new wall will cover the old one with minimal loss to the shoulder. The project is to be completed by the end of this year.
And finally, after many meetings, phone calls, letters to the editor and newspaper articles, everyone’s efforts have paid off, and Cold Spring Road is open. The Connecticut Department of Transportation has reopened the road, and safety improvements will be installed in the near future. You can once again enjoy the Naugatuck State Forest and High Rock Park with easy access from Beacon Falls.
Gerard F. Smith
First Selectman
Beacon Falls
