Politics & Government

Hurricane Costs $150K, Prompts FEMA Application

Hurricane Irene left a $150,000 bill for response costs, which the township will pay over three years if no FEMA aid is received.

Hurricane Irene came with an about $150,000 price tag for the township, which it intends to pay in $50,000 increments over the next three years. It will also apply for FEMA aid to offset the cost of its response efforts.

“As we are all aware, Hurricane Irene had profound effects on the residents of Hillsborough,” Deputy Mayor Carl Suraci said. “There were power outages, flooded roads, tree damages of varying degrees throughout the township. The estimated cost for the storm and its aftermath totaled $150,000.”

The announcement came as the committee approved an emergency resolution on the response costs at its Tuesday meeting. Since the 2011 budget has no provision to cover the cost of the emergency, the committee needed to issue the emergency resolution allowing it to add a budget line item.

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The costs include overtime pay for police and Department of Public Works employees, Dumpster rentals for flooded areas, costs associated with opening the township dump for flood damaged material drop-offs, and contracting private businesses for tree removal.

“While the township has made an application to FEMA for reimbursement of these costs, there is no guarantee as to the reimbursement or when the reimbursement will be received,” Suraci said.

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The $150,000 will be paid over a three-year period, with the township paying $50,000 each year.  However, if the township receives FEMA aid, it would credit any payments that have already been made, according to Suraci.

“Any monies received from FEMA will be credited against the monies expended and only the remaining balance would need to be included in future budgets,” Suraci said.

The township has its first meeting regarding the aid application Thursday morning. The application process is expected to take several months, however.

“We have a FEMA kickoff meeting Thursday morning, where we can learn the process by which we should apply for the money,” Nancy Haberle, the township’s Chief Financial Officer, said. “John Sheridan, myself and other members of the township will be there and we are going to apply for reimbursement for every single thing that we can get back from the hurricane.”

While the government only guarantees 75 percent of the money in an application, the township will still apply for the full $150,000.

“They only guarantee 75 percent or more, so we’re hoping to get 100 percent of the money back,” Haberle said. “It may be a long process, but we are willing to work hard to get back every penny that we can by application.”


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