Earlier this month, the winter storm left 94 percent of NSTAR’s Rochester customers without power for days and many, many downed trees and power lines. On Monday, town officials offered their appreciation for the work of first responders during the days leading up to and after the storm.

Of the damage in Rochester, Town Administrator Richard LaCamera said that 45 homes were damaged due to fallen trees.

“It was a difficult situation,” LaCamera said. “We have a great team of people that work together to get the job done and make sure that everyone was safe.”

Selectman Naida Parker offered her thanks to the members of the Highway, Fire, and Police Departments, as well as the volunteers of the warming shelter at the Council on Aging.

“I don’t know how you all did it,” Parker said. “I want to thank all of you and I think we need a long list of letters for everyone. I think it means more when you have a personal letter that says thank you.”

Police Chief Paul Magee said his department received 167 calls in a five-day period and eight car collisions were reported.

In preparation of the storm, Magee said he scheduled an additional 50 staff hours.

“I want to thank my staff,” Magee said. “A lot of officers worked a double shift. They pulled their weight.”

Highway Surveyor Jeff Eldridge added that he had 16 trucks out clearing the roads over the weekend of the storm. Eldridge said it will most likely take up to three months to clear the remaining trees that were downed.

“We’re waiting for the snow to melt,” Eldridge said.

Once the storm hit, the Council on Aging was opened as a warming shelter for residents to grab a hot meal, charge their electronic devices, and spend the night.

Council on Aging Director Sharon Lally said she estimates the shelter serviced more than 130 people. Thirty-four volunteers manned the shelter over five days, eventually working a collective 650 hours.

“The shelter was a labor of love,” Lally said. “I have the most dedicated group of volunteers.”

Eldridge and Magee agreed.

“Without the shelter, [the Highway Department's staff] would have had no food,” Eldridge said. “They fed us through the whole storm.”

“The folks at the Council on Aging did a phenomenal job,” Magee said. “I’m very grateful for the work they did.”

Of the efforts of all of the town’s first responders, Lally said, “The town is blessed to have such a strong team working together. I’m always in awe of how much the public safety team does for the town.”