Outtakes - The Smallest Towns

Thursday nights are busy in Union, Connecticut where volunteer firefighters drill under the direction of Chief Roberts (foreground).

The volunteer Fire Department held its first meeting in March, 1958. Back then the major problem was notifying fire fighters of a fire or accident; they had no radios. Instead, they devised a telephone chain. calling one another whenever there was an emergency. Those days are gone, but the fire department remains an integral part of the community.

Lou Roberts has been chief for over 20 years and has seen much change. "Every year we answer a record number of calls, I guess we go where we're needed."

Union was the last town in Connecticut to be settled east of the Connecticut River. History blamed this on the rough terrain and poor soil. Now many would like to see Union the last town to be considered when it comes to development.

"It's peaceful here -- that's why I came," says Jeannine Upson, president of the town's historical society. "We may be small but we're not living in the 19th century. I enjoy the quality of life we have here."

If that quality can be measured by caring, then the state of Union is sound. Long, lasting impressions are made by the fire department on people who just pass through town. A car broke down in Union and the driver was scalded by the steam from the car radiator. "Yes, we treated him," recalls Chief Roberts. "He's sent us a card every year for the past seven years."

The well-fortified town common in Union, Connecticut on a stormy night.

The Smallest Towns: Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont,
Connecticut, Rhode Island, or Massachusetts.