Hacking their way to water

Tom Allen, a lieutenant on the Penobscot Fire Department, tackles years of thorny brush that had impeded a water source. Photo by John Boit.

PENOBSCOT—Nearly a dozen Penobscot volunteer fire fighters spent their Sunday morning on Oct. 19 cutting a path to an overgrown water source on the Dunbar Road. Volunteers arrived with chainsaws and trimmers, cutting a path large enough to get a fire truck to a dry hydrant that feeds water from a small pond. Volunteer Jessie Allen brought hot chocolate and sandwiches to the crew, and a kind neighbor appeared with blueberry muffins.

Penobscot Fire Chief James Clarke, right, and Assistant Fire Chief Tyler Snow examine the now-clear dry hydrant along the Dunbar Road. Volunteer firefighter Heather Clarke looks on. Photo by John Boit.