Town Administrator Gretchen Neggers warned that costs are expected to continue to rise as the clean-up continues.
MONSON – Tornado-related costs have climbed to $5.5 million, and if the town receives 75 percent reimbursement of those costs from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, taxpayers would still have to come up with nearly $1.4 million, according to Town Administrator Gretchen E. Neggers.
Neggers updated the selectmen at their meeting Tuesday about expenses in the wake of the June 1 tornado. Selectmen also approved short-term borrowing in the amount of $700,000 to help the town address the escalating costs before it receives FEMA reimbursement.
Selectmen also approved three contracts to remove debris from waterways – $94,000 to clean unnamed tributaries to the Chicopee Brook, $160,000 for Ely Brook and $342,000 for Chicopee Brook.
She warned the selectmen that costs are expected to continue to rise, as the clean-up continues. Hope Bodwell, the former Monson Free Library director who is working as the disaster recovery assistant, said she is holding a volunteer coordination meeting on Thursday at 6 p.m. at First Church, the former site of all volunteer efforts. Civic and religious groups and local residents are invited to attend.
"We're trying to figure out what do all these groups have to offer? What do they need? And figure out how we can, in an organized, coordinated way, help those in need. We're trying not to have a duplication of efforts," Bodwell said.
Bodwell said the deadline for people affected by the tornado to register with FEMA is Aug. 15, and encouraged people to register whether they think they qualify or not. She said she understands that dealing with FEMA and the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency can be confusing, and that she is working on setting up a meeting for residents with a representative from the agencies to explain how to receive help in "layman's terms."
"It's like swimming through a sea of red tape," Selectman Edward A. Maia said.
"It definitely can be a frustrating thing to try and negotiate through," Selectman John F. Goodrich II said.
Selectmen approved the Monson Tornado Volunteers group's use of the gazebo at Dave Grieve Park, seven days a week, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The use will be reviewed in 30 days. The group will be coordinating volunteer efforts there. The selectmen approved it on the condition that the group posts that it not a town-sponsored activity.
Neggers also updated the selectmen about the Town Office Building, which has been closed since the tornado ripped the roof off and caused structural damage. Town offices are now at Hillside School.
She said structural engineers need to do a more in-depth analysis of the building before they can determine if the building can be repaired. Complicating the situation is the fact that the police station was located in the building; building codes for police stations are more stringent, she said.
Officials said it could be a long process to repair, or build a new, town office building, possibly as long as two years.
Regarding the library on High Street, Neggers said she talked to the director and it may be open in a week on a modified basis.
And in other business, Neggers said 18 applications have been received for the building inspector position, and seven applicants held the minimum qualifications. But one of the seven has dropped out, so six individuals will be interviewed, she said, adding that she hopes three finalists will be ready for the selectmen to interview at next Tuesday's meeting.