Town Officials Continue to Track Progress of Federal Storm Aid

Simsbury town officials are continuing to work with federal agencies to gain needed reimbursements for town funds spent in the aftermath of winter storm Alfred which crippled much of the region last October.

Members of the town's board of finance received an update from Finance Director Mary Ann Harris and First Selectman Mary Glassman during a meeting Tuesday night on the progress of reimbursements from the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Federal Highway Administration.

In the wake of the storm, the town of Simsbury saw overall costs of approximately $3.6 million in repairs to the town's infrastructure and the removal of debris and trees that fell after the region was blanketed with heavy snow and ice.

Public Works Director Tom Roy and Town Administrator Tom Cooke have been working with project specialists with FEMA to complete the application process for the emergency reimbursements, but the town does not expect to receive any funding before the end of the current fiscal year.

"Our paperwork has been excellent. FEMA is happy with what we've submitted," Glassman said.

Harris explained that the town is expecting approximately 75 percent of the $4 million requested. Officials expect approximately $650,000 of the anticipated $3 million reimbursement to come from FHWA, however the final amounts have yet to be determined.

"Basically that's a million dollar hit to reserves," board of finance member Peter Askham said. Askham asked for further clarification on how much the town could expect from FEMA and expressed concern that the agency could approve the town for less than 75 percent of the requested amount.

"I just want to make sure we don't have those kind of problems," Askham said.

Board member Jeff Blumenthal suggested the town submit the expenses as a line item on the town's budget to send a message to FEMA and FHWA that the town feels it is entitled to the full amount that was requested.

Harris said it is unlikely that the town would be approved for 100 percent of the requested funding but remains hopeful that between the two agencies the town will receive the estimated $3 million.

After a change in federal policy the state of Connecticut was eligible for grant funding from FHWA. During a meeting in March, Roy explained that 18.7 percent of the 164 miles of town-maintained roads are eligible for the funding. The new federal guidelines will prevent the town from using FEMA money for those roads.

"We have a good track record with the hurricane. Everything we submitted was reimbursed," Glassman said.

Board of Finance Chairman Paul Henault said the board will continue to  track the progress of the reimbursements during future meetings.