Letter: Falcone, Huot Help Kids off School Bus

To the editor:

I would like to thank Dr. Stephen Falcone, the superintendent of schools, and Mr. Richard Huot, Darien Public Schools director of finance, for personally ensuring the safety of our students during Wednesday’s nor’easter. 

As the storm began dumping snow on Darien, a section of Mansfield road was closed between Fox Hill Lane and Peach Hill Road due to downed wires. [see attached map] The area had been blocked off for several hours, yet no detour route had been established and cars approaching the closure were forced to turn around on Mansfield Avenue creating a traffic nightmare and a safety hazard.

Just before dismissal, Dr. Falcone and Mr. Huot visited the area and quickly determined that there was no way to safely disembark students along a section of Mansfield where cars were making simultaneous u-turns. 

While Mr. Huot stationed himself at Overbrook Lane [see attached map] and diverted northbound traffic onto a detour route, Dr. Falcone supervised students as they got off the buses and personally walked them up Mansfield Avenue to the various side streets. Thank you, Dr. Falcone and Mr. Huot for immediately taking action to address a very dangerous situation and for your dedication to the safety of our kids.    

Kathleen Del Col
Darien