It’s a number that will raise a lot of eyebrows.
$4.3 million.
That’s the known cost of damage done to property, infrastructure and much more belonging to the town of Bethlehem during Tropical Storm Irene in late summer.
Members of the town board viewed a presentation Dec. 14 by Town Engineer Paul Penman, who broke down the more than $1 million that has been spent thus far for repairs. He also explained which town fund was used to pay for the individual projects.
For example, Penman said the town has spent $40,500 out of its General Fund for work relating to the police department and town parks. The biggest chunk of expenditures at town parks went into Henry Hudson Park, including repairs to a dock damaged during the storm.
The town has spent $172,000 out of its Highway Fund, including money spent for projects such as shoulder restorations and culvert replacements.
The biggest splash thus far has come in the town’s Water Fund, where $412,000 has been allocated. The town had significant damage after the loss of a Stage III Dam pipeline and after electrical equipment was flooded out at a well field on Dinmore Road. An additional $343,500 has been used out of the town’s Sewer Fund.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency, or FEMA, will reimburse the town for 75 percent of the agreed-upon damages, with the state and town splitting the other 25 percent. It adds up to a $540,000 price tag for the town. The problem, though, is that the town will have to put up money and wait for reimbursement.
“Somehow, we will have to find the $4.3 million,” said board member Joann Dawson, who then asked how long the reimbursement process takes. One problem, according to Penman, is that FEMA has responded to more disasters this year than it typically does.
“They won’t give us a number,” said Penman. “I’ve been told in previous disasters funding was already coming in by this time in the process.
Penman said they met with FEMA officials as recently as the week of Dec. 5. The wait for the federal reimbursement may take a while. Outgoing Comptroller Suzanne Traylor told the board that the town received its last check from FEMA this year for damages done during the devastating ice storm that blanketed the region in December 2008.
There are plenty of other projects the town could undertake that would add to the detailed costs. One such project would potentially remove the damaged Onesquethaw Bridge in the southern portion of the town. Penman said town staff still has to conduct a review of the bridge, which was built in 1912, and prepare a recommendation for the board. The cost to restore the bridge would be about $500,000, according to Penman, who said that there is some flexibility with FEMA for other possibilities regarding their 75 percent share of the project.
“What we may consider doing is taking down the bridge for $150,000, and then consider the $300,000 for alternate projects,” said Penman. The town would still be committed to its 12.5 percent share for the project and related federal reimbursements.
“It might be nice if the money that we identify for other projects is then also allocated for work that was in this (same) part of the town,” suggested board member Mark Hennessey.
There are unknowns looming over the town as well. Penman’s presentation included potential investments to realign the Onesquethaw Creek to its original alignment. The town estimates the creek shifted about 350 feet due to rapid waters and flooding during the storm. Another problem is the 12 cubic yards of pipeline that was found after the storm at the town’s wastewater treatment plant. An inspection would need to be done to find out what part of the interceptor sewer line that pipe came from.
What town officials do know is that they will be helped by a $1 million loan from the state’s Environmental Facilities Corporation. That money can be paid back through money reimbursed by FEMA, or in the form of a long-term loan.
Another consideration for the town, according to Penman, is that FEMA is interested in seeing major projects completed within 18 months of a disaster.
Following the presentation, the board acted on three matters related to repairs, approving nearly $234,000 in expenditures for projects. The money included $88,400 to CHA Companies for designed work related to the rehabilitation of the Stage III Dam, $30,500 to Barton & Loguidice, P. C. for engineering work related to the interceptor sewer, and $115,048.90 to G.P. Jager & Associates for emergency repairs at the Dinmore Road Wastewater Treatment Plant.
