Town's Preliminary Storm Damage Estimate Nears $25,000

According to preliminary estimates, Hurricane Irene cost the Town of Canton nearly $25,000. 

The estimate of $24,989.84 includes employee' hours, supplies and equipment used during the hurricane and does not include damage to town property, Chief Administrative Officer Robert Skinner said. It also does not include damage to private property.

Damage to public property was very minimal and included some road washouts and damage to a bridge on West Road, he added.

According to FEMA's website, the town can receive "payment of not less than 75 percent of the eligible costs for repairing or replacing damaged public facilities, such as roads, bridges, utilities, buildings, schools, recreational areas and similar publicly owned property ... and "payment of not more than 75 percent of the approved costs for hazard mitigation projects..."

Skinner said the town was spared the damage seen in other areas.

"Compared to the rest of the state we fared well," he said.

Irene, however, still kept emergency officials and town crews on their toes as they responded to flooded basements, water-covered roads, downed wires and trees and other problems. The Farmington River was also a concern and firefighters strongly advised evacuation for residents on Collins Road and a few other streets near the river and other flooded areas. 

The town's public works department, town of Canton Volunteer Fire and EMS Department and police officers worked throughout the storm.

Prior to it, emergency officials and other town staff met with Director of Emergency Management Adam B. Libros to discuss storm preparations.

Crews worked throughout and officials such as Libros and volunteer fire chief Richard Hutchings manned the town's Emergency Operations Center with some help from Skinner, First Selectman Richard Barlow, Highway Foreman Rick Lassen and Police Chief Christopher Arciero.

"Both the volunteers and the town staff did an excellent job," Skinner said.

The estimate was quickly prepared for Federal Emergency Management Agency Officials, who were in town with a American Red Cross representative on Aug. 31. 

Damage estimates to private property were not immediately available, but Libros said FEMA officials did tour affected areas. The town plans to advise residents on their reimbursement possibilities and procedures in the next day or so, he added.