Irene Repairs Could Cost Town As Much As $2 Million

Permanent repairs to infrastructure damaged by Tropical Storm Irene could cost the town as much as $1.5 to $2 million, town officials said Monday night.

During the Board of Selectmen meeting at 7:30 p.m. at town hall, the board agreed to a special appropriation of $250,000 to cover some of the expenses incurred so far. That money will be moved to the town's emergency management account.

So far, about $192,252 has been spent, town official said. That includes $60,372 in wages, $17,537 for professional and technical expenses, $57,577 in construction costs, $14,690 for tree services, and $43,571 in supplies. The town still has a balance of about $1,496 in an emergency management account.

$250,000 appropriated for short-term expenses

The board decided to appropriate $250,000 to account for Irene-related expenses that might be incurred going forward, selectmen said.

First Selectman Fillmore McPherson said town officials hope that the town will be eligible for up to 75 percent reimbursement from the Federal Emergency Management Agency. And those funds may be available in timely manner, McPherson said. Following a large snow storm this past winter, the town was reimbursed for some expenses by the federal government within three to four months.

"We are cautiously optimistic" that the town will be reimbursed quickly again, McPherson said.

Permanent repairs could cost as much as $2 million

The big question is exactly how much permanent repairs to Middle Beach Road, the seawalls at the Surf Club, and the town jetties at East Wharf and West Wharf Beaches will cost.

"I will not be shy to tell you that the bill could be as much as $1.5 to $2 million, when you add in the permanent repairs," McPherson said. After taking into account FEMA reimbursement, the cost to the town could be $400,000 to $500,000.

The town has asked whether insurance will pay for some of the repairs, but received a "flat no" when town officials asked about repairs to Middle Beach Road, which lost part of the roadway, along with part of the underlying structure that supports the road, which runs right along Long Island Sound. Alma Carroll, the town's director of town services said the conversation with insurance adjusters continues.

These are just beginning numbers

"We're trying," she said Monday night. "Trust me."

McPherson said the town will know more as the exact scope of the repair projects becomes clear.

"Realize that these are just beginning numbers," he said. "They are big numbers, but we took a big hit. That's why we have reserves for ... a rainy, windy day."

Praise for town employees, officials, and volunteers

During the public comment section of the board meeting Monday, town resident Walter Lippmann praised town officials; town employees, including the Department of Public Works and the police department; and town volunteers, including firefighters, for their work during and after the storm.

He also encouraged town residents to volunteer now if they think they can help the town out during the next emergency.

"There are many people who can help out in town," he said. "Don't wait until the next storm. Call up now and say 'put me down, this is what I can do.'"

"Lessons learned" should be collected and applied next time

He also told First Selectman Fillmore McPherson and the other selectmen that he was "glad for your leadership."

"... if I think you're doing something wrong, I'll tell you," said Lippmann, who often attends town meetings. "But I was very pleased with the work of everybody."

Selectman Joe MacDougald added that the town, while pleased with the performance of many during and after the storm, also thinks some things might be improved and so town officials should come up with a list of "lessons learned" that could be applied during the next emergency.

Also at the meeting Monday night, selectmen agreed to waive building fees for homeowners repairing seawalls damaged by Irene, and agreed to a special appropriation request of $43,775 from facilities for a generator for the town garage.