FALMOUTH, Jamaica — The Trelawny Municipal Corporation (TMC) is demonstrating remarkable resilience as it continues to provide essential public services despite operating from temporary facilities following the catastrophic impact of Hurricane Melissa in October 2025. Mayor C Junior Gager, who serves as both Falmouth’s mayor and TMC chairman, acknowledged the ongoing challenges while affirming the corporation’s commitment to parish residents.
Addressing attendees during Thursday’s monthly council meeting at the Falmouth Artisan Village, Mayor Gager stated: ‘While our operations haven’t fully returned to normalcy, we remain dedicated to fulfilling our responsibilities and serving the citizens of this parish with the highest possible standards.’
The municipal corporation has been conducting its operations from alternative locations since the Category 5 hurricane severely damaged critical infrastructure, including the historic Falmouth Courthouse that previously housed the TMC’s administrative offices and the mayor’s official parlour. Current municipal services are being delivered from the roads and works office within the town, with the mayor’s office now operating from a retrofitted shipping container on the same premises.
Among the most significant recovery initiatives is the construction of a $150-million temporary facility to house displaced residents from the Trelawny Infirmary. These individuals have been temporarily accommodated at the Elleston Wakefield Community Center since the hurricane necessitated their evacuation. The new prefabricated structure, built from specially designed containers, will ultimately provide shelter for all 54 residents, with project completion anticipated in early 2026. Mayor Gager reported that construction is advancing satisfactorily.
The mayor concluded with a message of solidarity: ‘I encourage everyone to maintain positivity despite the current displacement and discomfort. Through collective effort and determination, we shall overcome these challenges and emerge stronger.’