The Eastwick Press Newspaper

Eastern Rensselaer County's Community Newspaper

Pipe Bursts At The Danforth

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Thanks To Community Effort, Residents Displaced For Only A Short Time

by Deb Alter

A pipe burst in the Danforth Adult Care Center on Sunday, February 14 late in the afternoon. “No one was injured, and for that we are thankful,” said Mayor David Borge. However, there was extensive water damage to the building, mostly in the reception and kitchen areas.  

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Men from the clean-up company Quick Response take the ceiling and walls of the dining room down to the joists at the Danforth Monday morning. The men said it is important to get the saturated sheetrock off the wall and to let everything dry as quickly as possible to avoid possible mold problems. The kitchen/dining room area received the most extensive damage. Photo by Steve Bradley
Men from the clean-up company Quick Response take the ceiling and walls of the dining room down to the joists at the Danforth Monday morning. The men said it is important to get the saturated sheetrock off the wall and to let everything dry as quickly as possible to avoid possible mold problems. The kitchen/dining room area received the most extensive damage. Photo by Steve Bradley

All of the residents were evacuated. Fifty-six residents were relocated to  the Red Cross-certified shelter at the North Hoosick Fire Department headquarters, several went home with family or to the Center for Nursing and Rehabilitation next door. Along with the Red Cross and Rensselaer County Disaster Services, the Town of Hoosick Rescue Squad, the Cambridge Rescue Squad, the Hoosick Falls Fire Department, the North Hoosick Fire Department, the Hoosick Falls Central School Transportation Department and the Hoosick Fall Police Department, many HFCS students, who are on vacation this week, terrific as always, were on the scene to help transport equipment and supplies. The North Hoosick Fire Department Auxiliary provided some meals, and the Health Center helped with cooking breakfast and lunch.

Heather Merrills, the Administrator at the facility, said, “The community was amazing. So many people came out to offer help. Jerry McAuliffe came out to spread sand where the water had gotten on the roads. HAYC3 lent us tables for dining and said to call if there’s anything else we need. The Police Department stayed here all night.” She said her staff was awesome, they came in to help without even being asked, even if they were off duty.

“The community responded magnificently,” agreed Mayor Borge.

The pipes were repaired by Monday afternoon and residents were resting comfortably back in their rooms that evening. “Things will get back to normal day by day,” Merrills said. For now they are using the activity room as a dining room, and the nurses’ station as the activity room. Eight residents were moved to different rooms. Food is currently being catered by Mazzoni’s  from Schenectady, and hopefully the kitchen with be fixed within five to six weeks.

“You always wonder what would happen if you had to evacuate, but now I know that this great Hoosick community will be there for you whenever you need them. It’s what this community is all about,” she said.[/private]