Work continues from storm damage
Engineer Justin Gove addressed a question at Monday evening’s Village Board meeting about where the village stands with its FEMA reimbursements after the July 9 flooding: “As far as FEMA is concerned, we’re right on track”, he said.
Gove, as well as Mayor Joe D’Onofrio, said that inspectors from FEMA were in the village last week for two days and were expected for another two days this week. As well, he said, the village has been assigned a liaison to the government agency, who is assisting in the filing of the village’s requests — “it’s a complicated process”.
Gove said that the municipal aid has been confirmed for the village, and emergency work that was done has been “reviewed and recognized as necessary”. Other expected “major expenses” the village faces have also been “pre-approved” by FEMA.
There was no update on the possibility of Individual Aid for residents who suffered significant damage.
The comments came after several questions came up about spending related to the storm during the public comment portion of the meeting.
Highland Falls’ Ron Malecot said he wishes the village would post the dollar amounts spent on storm repairs, as well as the corresponding reimbursement, on the village’s website for all to see. He suggested “there is no oversight” of money being spent or received, and also asked if there was still an ‘emergency declaration’ in place which allows municipal spending without the bid process. Attorney Alyse Terhune said the emergency declaration expired after 30 days.
Highland Falls’ Aleena Olivia also asked about the dollar amounts being spent, and was told they could be requested via FOIL (Freedom of Information Law) requests.
Trustee Dr. Melanie Guerrero reiterated that while the village expects 75% reimbursement from FEMA, an additional 12.5% from the state is not guaranteed. Trustee Jim Ramus also noted that village residents, via their town taxes, will be paying for some of the storm-related repairs in the greater town, too.
The board approved the spending of $325,564 in bills at the meeting, which included some $209,000 for repairs to the million gallon water tank at the top of Mountain Ave. Storm-related, that expense was approved at an earlier board meeting.
In other business from Monday’s meeting:
— The board approved the request of the Town of Highlands Ambulance Corps to hold its Fall Foliage Festival on October 21.
— The board authorized Attorney Terhune to represent the village in the appeal of Deborah Kopald v. the Village of Highland Falls, the Highland Falls, NY Village Board, and Verizon Wireless of the East LP.
— Trustee Guerrero reminded property owners who rent homes to contact the Building Department to complete a Landlord Registry application and pay the $10 fee.
— Trustee Ramus said he is still waiting for some final information before making a motion to charge those who use the village’s EV charger.
— HFPD Officer-in-Charge Jason Torpey informed the board the HFPD had received a state grant for $18.096 to replace its LiveScan (digital fingerprint) equipment.
The board meets next at 7 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 2 at the Highland Falls Senior Center.
