New Milford Mayor Pete Bass has signed an Executive Order concerning the Health and Safety of Residents, First Responders, and those using waterways. There were instances last weekend of people swimming in the Housatonic without knowing how to swim, children with “ noodle” flotations without knowing how to swim, garbage left on the Riverbanks, and scattered throughout River Road area. In addition, campfires and cooking grills left charcoal remnants which he says could have caused a major fire in this heavily wooded area.  Public Works crews have placed no parking signs on the unpaved portion of River Road. Bass says these efforts were prompted by complaints from residents on the road of cars speeding and then parking as to where our emergency vehicles could not get through if an emergency arose. Large numbers of people gathered in and around the River, with loud music, alcohol, and open burning along the Riverbank.