Readsboro

“We’re hanging in there,” says Mark Shea, town administrator for Readsboro.

With damages in the $1 million range, the town worked through the slow process and necessary coordination of federal and state agencies to get all but one of its 20 projects completed. Three homes were destroyed in the flood, and the families have successfully relocated while they wait for approval in the buyout program.

Shea had just started as town administrator when Irene came through. One of the biggest challenges for him was getting the town’s water back online a week after the water main in the river was crushed.

When the last project is complete, and the buyouts are approved, Shea says it will be a relief.

“It’s time to draw a line in the sand so we can all move forward.”