Oakdale Fire House is Open as Warming Shelter

Although Montville’s emergency management shelter closed at midnight last night, residents without power can go to the Oakdale Fire House at 444 Chapel Hill Road, which has opened as a warming center.  Oakdale Fire House also lost commercial power but it has a generator that is up and running.

“We’re here and the fire house is opened for anyone who wants to go,” says Paul Barnes, who is stationed at the Oakdale Fire House. “They can come here and get warm. We’ve got the coffee on and bathrooms are working.”

Barnes says Montville Manor and the elderly housing at Freedom Village are both without power. Members of the fire department just returned from visiting both areas to let residents know that the Fire House is open for those without heat.

Most Freedom Village residents have their own transportation, Barnes says, but those who don’t should be able to get rides from their neighbors. “There’s a couple offering rides for them,” Barnes says.

Barnes says he expects at a number of people to show up at the Fire House as the day goes on. “We just came from Freedom Village and at least a dozen or more people say they will be coming up,” Barnes says.