Acton Community Defines What it is to be a Neighbor After Tree Falls on Home

Laura Goldin has lived at 30 Hosmer Street in Acton for 31 years. Last Sunday morning, during Irene’s heavy winds, a large oak tree in her front yard snapped and smashed into the front of her home. Goldin was inside when it happened and managed to be in the right place at the wrong time.

“Had I been upstairs in my daughters room or even in the hallway I probably would have been really hurt and I could have still been really hurt because I was at the bottom of the stairs when the front window crashed in at me and the beam from the porch crashed in as well,” said Goldin. “So I was probably an inch away from the beam."

Even though there is significant damage to the inside and outside of her home and the oak tree that once shaded her property is gone for good, Goldin focuses only on the positive things that occurred immediately following the incident. Goldin is extremely grateful for all the community support she has received.

“Right when the tree hit, my neighbors across the street, John Goodnough and Alan Price, rushed over to make sure I was fine,” said Goldin. “Once Alan knew I was OK, he went into my basement and shut off my main power switch since all the power lines were down.”

Goldin stayed the night at the home of John and Joan Goodnough and is now staying with a friend in Needham.

“The Goodnough family was absolutely amazing with their gratitude,” said Goldin. “Joan and John have been amazing neighbors. They knew a tree guy who showed up during the day of the storm who started the removal of the tree in the middle of the high winds.”

The Acton Fire Department was immediately on scene to assist Goldin with her situation.

“I was really kind of in shock and shaking, just doing my best to think hard about what I needed and one of the firemen walked me through the house and helped me,” said Goldin. “The fire department was amazing and tremendously professional.”

According to Goldin, many of her Hosmer Street neighbors were stopping by after the storm to offer assistance and support in any possible way they could.

“Although this is something I wouldn’t have wanted to happen, the goodness that it has brought out of the community has really been a blessing,” said Goldin. “I’m just so thankful for that."