Waterbury Group Helps Reconstruction After Irene

(Host) We have a story now about home remodeling. Only this story is about what happens when 200 people, living in one small village, all need to remodel at the same time.

That's the situation in Waterbury, where Tropical Storm Irene damaged nearly a third of all the properties in the village.

So how does a town respond to such a widespread need for re-construction?

As VPR's Lynne McCrea reports, Waterbury is taking some ambitious new steps... 

(McCrea) For months now, renovation projects have been underway along the streets of Waterbury village.  These days, the group ReBuild Waterbury has a hand in many of them.

(Kerr) "Have you heard from anybody-- from the contractor?

(McCrea) Dave Kerr is the construction manager for ReBuild Waterbury - a not-for-profit group that's working to get residents back into their homes.

Today, Kerr has stopped by to see Safa Kadric, whose Main Street home was heavily damaged by flooding. 

Kerr says most homeowners don't have the kind of expertise or connections that can help to keep a project from stalling, as can often happen.  

So part of his role with ReBuild Waterbury is to serve as a ‘go-between' during various phases of work.

"So, as he finishes the drywall, we can go ahead and get that insulation blown in for you. That's great, thank you so much..."

(McCrea) Next, Kerr stops at the work site where Chris Flora's house once stood. 

The two men talk about plans for building up the foundation, so the new house can go in on higher ground.

(Kerr) -"So we'll probably have to have a land surveyor out here. Man: Okay ... Is that something I need to take care of? Kerr: I'll talk to my guy..."  

(McCrea) Flora says he was skeptical at first about ReBuild Waterbury, and the hiring of 3 full-time workers.

(Flora) "When I first heard about it I thought, ‘hmm, is that a good way for people to be spending money right now'? But I was wrong - it was a good idea. I think it's - so many people that need help, and so many don't have resources."

(McCrea) Helping to find resources is a big part of the job for the ReBuild Waterbury staff, which also includes Volunteer Manager Mame McKee, and Case Manager Eileen Simpson.

Simpson says people need help with a range of issues - whether its construction assistance, or psychological concerns.

(Simpson) "And... there may be immediate problems - there are still people who don't have housing, a lot of people are living with friends and relatives - it's getting old. It's winter!"

(McCrea) Add to that the fact that most people are still working in full-time jobs, and now they're suddenly thrown into a large-scale remodeling project.

(Simpson) "So there they are, they're trying to work, trying to manage their emotions, trying to manage their children, and maybe elderly parents... these are very difficult things to do. And there are gaps in their resources."

(McCrea) In the weeks following Irene, town leaders quickly realized the urgent need for an organization to keep the recovery moving ahead.

The head of the Select board, Rebecca Ellis, says the hope is that ReBuild Waterbury will be able to sustain itself through ongoing fundraising.

(Ellis) "There's a lot of generosity in the community... and I think part of our task is to show people why it's important to have organizations like this..."

(McCrea) Ellis says ReBuild Waterbury is a way to leverage support - from donations and ongoing volunteer efforts. And it can help navigate the multitude of other resources, like FEMA or the SBA.

Back at the site of Chris Flora's former house, it's clear that - for him and others -ReBuild Waterbury has already made a difference.

(Flora) "Just with the physical labor help and I guess the most important  part is/ When you're going thru this, even now - though it's gotten a little better, but - you have a lot of emotions running through your mind and its hard to concentrate and get your head on what you need to do. You know, what next steps need to be taken."

(McCrea) "Next steps" are much of what Waterbury is focused on now, as the town helps people to rebuild their homes, and their lives.

For VPR News, I'm Lynne McCrea.