Trumbull's Stern Village Residents Want Speedier Snow Removal

Despite volunteers, staff and contractors clearing out snow from the winter storm, Stern Village residents said it should have been removed faster.

The residents of the subsidized housing complex spoke out at a special meeting Wednesday night in the community room.

"During [Hurricane] Sandy, we were able to get out to the doctor and the bus," said Patricia Lunzi. She added that outgoing executive director Harry Wise joined in clearing out the nearly three feet of snow dropped last Friday night.

"For days, I was behind five feet of snow," Lungi said. "If there was a fire, bring the potatoes, because I'm dead meat."

She accused the town of clearing out other, younger residents first. "Elderly people should be able to get to the doctor, Day 1. So anxious to own us. Now you got us. What do you do for us? Nothing," she said.

Lungi was referring to the recent replacement of the members of the Trumbull Housing Authority following accusations that Wise mismanaged the complex before and during Hurricane Sandy in October 2012.

She said other buildings like Maefair Health Care Center and St. Joseph's Manor should also have been first to be cleared out.

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THA board members defended the town's performance.

Member Joanna Leone said, "We couldn't get the [plows] there because of the amount of snow," Leone said.

But the board members were monitoring Stern Village during the storm and moved to hire a contractor to speed up snow removal.

Acting THA Chairman Russ Friedson said the town's plows clear the streets, not the sidewalks or the doorways.

Another resident said EMTs had to carry one person out "like a bride" because they could not get a stretcher inside.

Gary Raytar, a member of the Trumbull Senior Citizen Commission said he had to go out through his window because of snow drifts and wouldn't want a senior to have to do that.

Michael Harris of Trumbull has relatives who live in Stern Village.

"I would like to acknowledge the residents of Stern Village. They are people. We live in Trumbull. We all pay taxes," he said.

Harriet Polansky, who was tapped for interim acting executive director, said snow and debris clearing procedures are needed for future storms.