Town Gets $318K In FEMA Funds To Cover Storm Isaias' Damage Costs

East Haven CT

20 October, 2021

3:12 PM

Description

EAST HAVEN, CT — The town is set to receive $317,838.82 in FEMA funds to cover costs associated with Tropical Storm Isaias, Mayor Joseph A. Carfora announced Wednesday. The storm that blew into East Haven on Aug. 4, 2020, wreaked havoc, causing extensive damage throughout town. The state of Connecticut was especially hard-hit by the storm, according to NOAA, with over 700,000 customers losing power. And East Haven was among the communities along the shoreline that suffered Isaias' wrath. Due to the storm's widespread destruction, Gov. Ned Lamont had sought a presidential disaster declaration and that measure allowed East Haven Emergency Management Director Matthew Marcarelli and East Haven Finance Director James Keeley to seek reimbursement for expenses incurred as a result of the storm. The disaster declaration was approved Jan. 13, 2021. According to the town, the breakdown of reimbursement is as follows: $101,871.04 in regular salary including fringe$73,389.28 in overtime including fringe$163,844.77 in use and depreciation of equipment used in the clean-up$84,680.00 in contractor assistance which included debris management at the town landfill where debris was brought. The reimbursement comes with 25 percent cost share under FEMA guidelines, so the actual reimbursement from FEMA was $317,838.82, the balance of $105,946.26 is the responsibility of the town. The total associated with the storm was $423,785.08. The Town will also be receiving $5,624.08 in management costs associated with time put into the reimbursement request. "This storm went through town quickly and with great force with damage particularly extensive in Foxon. This required many man-hours to recover from, starting the day of the storm through Sept. 13 when public services work was finally completed, all while keeping up with regular duties," Carfora said. "At the storms' outset, I worked closely with Chief Marcarelli to ensure all departments were keeping accurate records, so if a disaster declaration came from the President, we would be poised to seek reimbursement."