$1.2M in FEMA Funds to Help Scotch Plains' Sandy Cleanup

Scotch Plains will receive $1,229,583.21 million in federal Sandy aid to reimburse the town for the costs of repairs and debris cleanup in the aftermath of Superstorm Sandy, announced U.S. Senators Frank R. Lautenberg and Robert Menendez last week.

"This great news from the governor and our senators that finally money is going to be released," Scotch Plains Mayor Kevin Glover told Patch. "We’re excited by the news of the release, but we’ll be thrilled when we actually see some cash in hand. It’ll take us a long way in getting on financial good footing from expenses we have to absorb from Sandy."

Glover says the $1.2 million represents about 75 percent of the total $1.6 million estimate of the town's total Sandy costs. Glover says additional monies are still actively being sought. 

"I’m grateful to the congress, to our senators and to our governor for fighting for the people," Glover added. "This money is much needed to get us on the road to recovery."

Most of the town's Sandy costs were due to debris cleanup and the manpower involved to clear the roads get the debris out of the community, said Glover, a process that continues today. Scotch Plains is still removing grinding and removing Sandy debris that was collected at the former Terry Lou Zoo property and council recently approved a resolution awarding a contract for that removal. 

"The amount of trees that came down is staggering," said Glover. "The township has a rich history that goes back a whole long ways to the 1600s, and I think a lot of township trees go back that far."

Public Assistance grants are awarded by FEMA on a rolling basis after receiving applications from the state, which coordinates the process with local governments.

“These federal grants will help promote the continued resurgence of our local communities in Sandy's aftermath,” said Senator Lautenberg, a member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland Security, which funds FEMA.  “We’ll keep working to help provide New Jersey's towns and cities with federal resources to rebuild stronger and be prepared for the next storm or emergency event.”

“The initial response and clean-up efforts made by our dedicated personnel in these communities helped New Jersey take the first steps toward recovery,” said Senator Menendez. “This Sandy relief funding will help Brick and Scotch Plains cover debris removal costs incurred as a result of Superstorm Sandy.  We will continue to fight for federal resources to aid our recovery and help all of New Jersey come back better and stronger than ever before.”

In January, the President signed the Superstorm Sandy Supplemental Appropriations bill into law, bringing the total Sandy aid enacted by Congress to $60.2 billion. The funding package included federal aid to help homeowners, businesses, and communities recover, and resources to rebuild coastal, transportation, and water infrastructure.