Town is shipshape and ready for winter’s worst

NORTH CANAAN — Let it snow! The town is ready, with fire hydrants clearly marked and its unique road sand concoction proving to be very effective.A mix of granular lime and road salt, something First Selectman Douglas Humes recalled was done decades ago, has become a great alternative to sand this winter. Besides, the town no longer has a road sweeper, and Humes said at the Feb. 4 board meeting he doesn’t recommend that the town buy one.Instead, the lime will blow away, presumably landing on lawns that will be that much greener next summer because of it.When heavy snow falls, fire hydrants disappear quickly. Selectman Charlie Perotti said the Canaan Fire Company Junior Corps volunteered to do a survey of fire hydrants. They found 28 were missing the markers used to locate them under snow piles.Eight metal poles and markers were available from Aquarion, which supplies town water. The town bought another 20 wooden stakes.Skating is finally available at the Lawrence Field pavilion. A handful of people has been taking advantage of the smooth outdoor ice under the roof. The ice is kept in good condition with a groomer and a cover donated by Laurelbrook Farm.