Westwood Officials Waive Permit Fees for Those Who Sustained Storm Damage

Flood waters in the borough from Hurricane Irene damaged about 350 Westwood homes and apartments and 50 businesses, Mayor John Birkner Jr. reported to the council and the public Tuesday night. He said the storm caused "some of the worst flooding in our history."

To help ease the burden on those affected, council members unanimously approved a resolution Tuesday that removes permit and inspection fees for those affected by damages from the storm through Nov. 10. Trash receptacles have also been placed in hard hit neighborhoods to assist with removal of ruined items.

Birkner praised members of the police and fire departments, the ambulance corps and the DPW for their work during and after Irene hit, saying they worked "seamlessly and flawlessly."

Representatives of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) have been to the borough to provide residents and business owners affected by the storm with information. Birkner said all residents with storm-related damage should register with FEMA by visiting www.disasterassistance.gov or by calling 800-621-FEMA.

Birkner said through the storm he has seen residents pull together. He said if others are looking for a way to help, they can donate items to the borough's food pantry, which also could use cleaning products, pet items and back to school supplies for children whose home contents were destroyed by flood waters. Those wishing to donate can contact Social Services Director Kathy Elgert at 201-664-7100, ext. 110.

Private property wasn't the only type to sustain damage. Councilman William Phayre said Tuesday that the DPW had 19 inches of water in its facility because of flooding from Irene. The department moved vehicles to higher ground to avoid damage, but Phayre asked residents to be patient if the department is slower than usual.

"They're working hard to meet everybody's needs under these extreme, unique conditions," Phayre said.

Borough Administrator Robert Hoffmann said DPW personnel noticed Tuesday that the building also has a crack and hole in the wall believed to be caused by flood waters from Irene. He said the borough construction official surveyed the damage and it would be brought to the attention of the insurance adjuster.

While officials agreed that flooding from Irene was unusual and likely unavoidable because of the volume of rain, council members came to a consensus Tuesday that Borough Engineer Stephen Boswell should begin a detailed review of the flooding situation in the area, similar to , but larger in scope.