Politics & Government

Mineola Receives Over $311K in FEMA Sandy Aid

Village to receive $311,503 in FEMA-approved funds for clean up costs for Hurricane Sandy.

The Village of Mineola has received $311,503 in Federal funds for reimbursement of costs incurred by the village following the impact of Superstorm Sandy.

In the wake of Sandy, Mineola experienced damaged and destroyed trees throughout the area on village streets and wood debris strewn about.

The village’s clean-up costs accounted for the removal, transportation, storage, reduction and disposal of 6,086 cubic yards of woody debris.

“All across communities affected by the Superstorm Sandy, a recurring challenge for every municipality was the need to quickly remove tree debris that had literally littered every village, town and city caught in the storm’s path,” Governor Andrew Cuomo said in a statement. “Like communities throughout the affected regions of the storm, the Village of Mineola responded quickly to remove unprecedented tree debris for their community and they utilized their village funds to achieve this important task. On behalf of the state, I am very pleased to be able to direct these funds back to the village and help them continue in their overall restoration effort.”

The village’s estimates for emergency contractors used during the first 7-10 days following the storm totaled $461,487, a loading and hauling services contract for debris removal after the first 100 hours for $25,443 and the cost of having about 71 locations with uprooted trees that caused upheaval damage to sidewalks, roadways and curbs at between $75,000-$80,000.

Find out what's happening in Mineolawith free, real-time updates from Patch.

NY State Sen. Jack Martins added that “when Sandy hit, Mineola didn’t hesitate. Emergency responders and village personnel left their families and homes and tackled the difficult and dangerous task of recovery. Whether it was clearing roads, removing trees, or countless other measures, the village took the lead. Through this reimbursement we recognize their efforts and do our part to ensure that these costs borne by the village don't end up on our taxpayers' backs.”

Mineola had estimated that with time, expenses and materials the cost for recovering from Hurricane Sandy is over $1.2 million.

Find out what's happening in Mineolawith free, real-time updates from Patch.

FEMA has agreed to pay regular time and overtime labor costs for the first 30 days of labor following the storm which for Mineola totals $311,000. Equipment costs ran $186,000 for one week. A hauling services contract for tree debris has also been submitted.

“Like all villages and municipalities on Long Island, the Village of Mineola acted swiftly in the aftermath of Superstorm Sandy to clear debris and safety hazards from our public streets,” Assemblyman Edward Ra said in a release. “I thank Mayor Strauss, the village board and the DPW for their work helping the village recover from Sandy and the governor for directing this reimbursement to the village. I hope to continue working with Gov. Cuomo to help aid all New Yorkers struggling in the aftermath of this storm.”

According to the governor’s office, the release of these federal funds are part of ongoing and anticipated future reimbursements the state will administer and pay to the affected municipalities.

Municipalities are being reimbursed based on a variety of projects that include construction and demolition, sand and vegetative debris removal, EOC activations, evacuations, inspections and emergency IT repairs and restoration and the Sheltering and Temporary Essential Power (STEP) program.

The state will continue to make these reimbursement payments as FEMA obligates the funds.


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