The year started well for the chapter with 14 paid members of which 6 were plus members. By the end of 2005, Every tower in the state will have been put onto the NHLR. At the end of 2004, all but 4 have been submitted. Our new VT. Director, our Webmaster and myself, bushwhacked our way up to the summit of Town hill in the town of Sandisfield, Ma. And discovered the remains of the lookout that sat there in the early 1910's. More discovery outings are planned for this coming year.

In Massachusetts,
Tower lookout activity was slow this year due to the seemingly constant rains. Because of the rains, only 3 tower cabs were replaced this year by the Ma. Fire control construction crew. Owing to this however, all operational towers across the state were staffed as needed, their number being unchanged from the last 10 years. It should be noted that this past year saw the retirement of the Massachusetts Forest Fire control chief ( Mike Tirrell ). Due to his support for lookouts across his state, He was awarded the FFLA Chairman's award at his retirement party. The Temporary Chief of fire control is very supportive of the work done by the FFLA and is very pro-tower as well.

In Rhode Island,
Only 4 state lookout towers remain in a staffable condition, 3 others are in dire need of repairs, 1 is still in use at the state prison and 1 is owned by the West Greenwich Fire dept. and needs some minor work to it. Also 1 lookout is in very good condition which is owned by the city of Providence. A new tower site was discovered this year, inside the city of Woonsocket, RI. It was built and used for 3 years till it was moved to another location. This brings the total sites in this state to 20 so far.

In Connecticut,
There is only 4 towers left that could be considered staffable. 2 are tourist attractions in state parks. 1 is a telecommunications tower. 1 is on top of a water tower on the state university campus. 5 others are standing in need of repairs. 1 private tower in very good shape, 1 a private building in decent shape and the remaining are just previous sites without any structures remaining.

Respectfully submitted,
Henry Isenberg So. NE. chapter Director 01/ 15/ 05