|
FEMA reverses decision; Enfield to get disaster relief funds
By Mike Cummings , Journal Inquirer 02/10/2006
ENFIELD - The town will receive federal money to help pay for more than $800,000 in damages and expenses caused by October floods.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency has declared Hartford County municipalities eligible for disaster aid, reversing an earlier decision that had denied them assistance.
U.S. Sen. Joseph I. Lieberman called Mayor Patrick L. Tallarita Thursday to inform him of the agency's decision.
"Obviously, I'm very pleased that the federal government has recognized us," Tallarita said Friday. "I just have to give a big 'thank you' to Senator Lieberman. His assistance really made this possible."
The town is now eligible to receive federal money to cover up to 75 percent of the cost to repair flood-damaged public infrastructure and other flood-related municipal expenses.
The agency had previously determined that Hartford County, where Enfield is located, did not sustain enough damage during the October flooding to qualify for federal disaster relief.
Tolland, New London, Windham, and Litchfield counties were declared disaster areas, making towns in those counties eligible for federal assistance.
FEMA uses a formula based on county population to determine whether to provide funding for repairs to public infrastructure.
Connecticut is one of two states without any type of county government.
To qualify for federal funding, costs of repairing damage in a given county must equal at least $2.94 per person.
Hartford County repair costs fell about $800,000 short of satisfying the formula, though Enfield was among the most heavily damaged towns in the state.
Enfield's per capita damage total was more than $16, well over the county threshold for assistance.
At the request of town officials, FEMA reconsidered its initial damage report, adding more than $375,000 to it.
The agency has since increased the countywide damage assessment to $2.5 million from $1.7 million, pushing it over the minimum level.
The town enlisted Congressional support in its effort to secure federal disaster relief.
U.S. Sens. Lieberman and Christopher J. Dodd, both Democrats, and U.S. Rep. Robert R. Simmons, R-2nd District, signed a letter sent to R. David Paulison, the acting director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, asking him to disregard the county-based formula and approve aid for Enfield.
Tallarita said Lieberman spoke personally to Paulison, asking him to approve aid for the county.
Wayne Sandford, deputy commissioner of the state Department of Emergency Management and Homeland Security, credited Enfield officials for tenaciously pursuing federal relief.
"We knew it was a long shot going in, but they kept digging and digging and made it difficult for FEMA to say 'no,'" Sandford said Friday.
Sandford said local and federal officials will meet next Wednesday to discussed how the aid money will be released.
The disaster declaration only covers flood-related damage and expenses incurred by the town and not private businesses or residences.
FEMA provided no financial assistance to residents and business owners who suffered losses during the floods.
The U.S. Small Business Administration is offering low-interest loans to renters, homeowners, and businesses that sustained damage during the floods.
Applications can be obtained by calling the SBA customer service center at 1-800-659-2955.
The deadline for applications is Feb. 21.
|