Pawling Mayor Dramatically Declares State of Emergency

In a strongly-worded declaration, a local mayor is putting his citizens in a state of emergency to "take whatever steps necessary to protect life and property."

On Thursday, the water main on Charles Street in the Village of Pawling was damaged. The incident has led to an emergency declaration by the mayor, putting all village agencies on alert. While it's unclear just how many people are impacted by the water main issue, it's been determined that water is safe to drink throughout the village, except for homes located on Charles Street.

However, the dire warning was posted by Mayor Robert Liffland on Wednesday, alerting residents of the "imperilment of public safety"

This State of Emergency has been declared due to unexpected damage to the public water system in and around Charles Street area resulting in an imminent hazard to the public health, welfare, and/or the environment and imperilment of public safety.

The mayor says the water main issue "threatens the public safety" and has directed all village departments and agencies to "take whatever steps necessary to protect life and property, public infrastructure, and provide such emergency assistance deemed necessary."

You can read the rest of the declaration on the Village of Pawling's website.

The state of emergency will remain in effect "until rescinded by a subsequent order." Since Thursday morning there have been no further updates on the situation at Charles Street.

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