'The Whole Building Swayed'

Nancy Hazen is no stranger to vibrations, with the construction site next door to the , where she works as administrative assistant to the Board of Selectmen.

But the tremors she felt earlier this afternoon were different. They were the result of an earthquake that registered 5.9 and was based in northern Virginia.

"The whole building swayed. The walls just swayed,'' she said. "I've never felt anything like that before.''

The tremors lasted a few seconds. Town Administrator Timothy McInerney went outside to see what was happening.

The building was not evacuated and business soon continued as usual. Although for a brief moment, Hazen said with a laugh, Cindy Ide, secretary to the Town Administrator, "had her pocketbook in her hand.'' 

staff members said patrons reported that book shelves were swaying.

Workers at also called police to report tremors, police reported.