Friday, October 9, 2020
www.southingtoncitizen.com
Volume 17, Number 41
Due to mask dispute, BOE returns to remote meetings
Firefighters train for cliff rescues By Jesse Buchanan Record-Journal staff
Thirty feet from the top of Ragged Mountain’s cliff face on a rocky ledge, Southington firefighter Daniel Comen worked to bring a trainer — playing a fallen climber — safely to the ground. Experience with ropes and safety systems is important for those rare but dangerous climbing accidents, firefighters said, during training last week. The department received a FEMA grant that paid for new equipment and training. Ragged Mountain is a famous climb throughout the Northeast and beyond. The Ragged Mountain Foundation owns the land andn allowed the Southington Fire Department access for training. Fire Capt. Eric D’Arcy said there’s a lot to remember when it comes to
By Michael Gagne Record-Journal staff
The Board of Education planned to convene remotely through video conference for its meeting Thursday. Southington firefighter Daniel Comen, top, safely lowers Mike Mather, who acts as a fallen climber during a Sept. 29 training exercise on the main cliffs of Ragged Mountain in Southington. The Southington Fire Department received a FEMA grant that funded new equipment and training for rope rescues. Mather is a training instructor for Rhode Island-based Mather Rescue. Dave Zajac, Record-Journal
rappelling off 100-foot cliffs, securing injured climbers in rescue baskets and searching rock ledges. “We have to constantly train on it,” D’Arcy said. “If you don’t train on it, you’re going to forget everything.”
Years can sometimes go by without needing ropes and harnesses in a rescue, he said. But when it’s needed, it has to be done right.
Board Chairwoman Terri C. Carmody said the decision was based on board members’ responses to a poll she sent by email. Board members narrowly favored convening remotely, with five members stating that was their preference and four members stating they favored continuing in-person meetings. After several months of remote meetings, the board resumed in-person sessions in August, with memSee Meetings, A2
See Rescue training, A2
Changes in store as ski areas prepare for season By Jessica Simms Special to the Record-Journal
Local ski areas have been working on plans for opening in a way that is healthy and safe.
The Connecticut Skiers Association has been meeting with officials at Mount Southington since July to come up with a comprehensive operating plan, said Jay Dougherty, Mount Southington president and
general manager. The group has received guidance from the National Skiers Association and the state of Connecticut. “Basically, (Mount Southington) will be limiting capacity,” Dougherty
said. “Priority is going to go to our season passholders. We’re not going to make our passholders make reservations or anything like that, but day tickets will be limited.” See Skiing, A3
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