Chelmsford Eligible for Disaster Reimbursement from Snowtober

Town Manager Paul Cohen last night said the town will submit for reimbursement from the federal government after President Barack Obama signed off on providing the aid.

Cohen said Chelmsford won't be able to get reimbursed for snow removal from the storm, but will be able to recover costs related to brush removal from roadways and the public safety response.

Cohen said the town will wait for FEMA and MEMA to release instructions on how to apply and what the schedules are for cost reimbursement. The reimbursement will be at about 75 percent, he said.

"We're still working for submittal from the tropical storm in August, so we’d anticipate the deadline (to apply) will be in February and have the funding reimbursement by the end of the fiscal year," said Cohen.

Cohen said it's still unclear if the state will provide a reimbursement match to the federal aid.

The unseasonable snow storm last fall resulted in more than 80 percent of the town losing its power. Many were without power for as long as five days after the storm.