Hope Bodwell, the town's disaster recovery assistant, advised residents affected by the tornado to register with FEMA by the Aug. 15 deadline.
MONSON – The residents who turned out Tuesday night for the tornado recovery information meeting were told that the town's long-term recovery is going to take some time.
"Long-term recovery is a work in progress. There's a lot to do here and we all wanted it yesterday, but it's going to happen in the next 18 months," Hope Bodwell, the town's disaster recovery assistant, told the approximately 60 people gathered at Granite Valley Middle School.
Even though representatives from the Federal Emergency Management Agency canceled due to Tuesday afternoon's storm, the meeting went on as planned. She reminded residents affected by the tornado to register with FEMA by the Aug. 15 deadline, and noted that 336 households have registered so far.
Bodwell also encouraged residents to apply for a Small Business Administration low-interest loan, even if they don't think they need one.
"Six, nine months down the line, you may want it," Bodwell said.
Bodwell said town officials are working with FEMA on Monson's recovery.
Several other officials also spoke, including Police Chief Stephen Kozloski Jr., who advised residents not living at their damaged properties to leave on lights if possible and keep the grass cut, so as not to advertise that the homes are vacant. He also told residents to feel free to call the Police Department, or email him, about concerns.
Michelle Loglisci, transportation director for the Monson schools, told parents to be sure to notify the School Department as to where they are living, even if they are staying in a temporary trailer at their former address.
She added that the school district is required to transport students to Monson schools, even though they may be living in a different community because they have been displaced by the tornado. Loglisci said parents can contact her at (413) 267-4150, ext. 1101, or at logliscim@monsonschools.com.
On July 20, "Trees after the Tornado," a meeting about what to do with the numerous downed trees in Monson, was held at the high school. It was presented by the state Department of Conservation and Recreation's bureau of forestry staff.
Jennifer Fish, of the state department, encouraged people to leave some of the downed trees, as they can become habitat for salamanders and frogs. She said the winter wren also nests in "tip-ups," which is when a stump is uprooted.
"It can be hard to think about the future when you're looking at a big mess . . . nature doesn't mind ugly," Fish said.
Fish cautioned residents about attempting tree removal themselves, and advised them to seek a professional tree service. She said most people want to get the mess cleaned up, and aren't considering the long-term. She said some of the wood also could have economic value.
The officials told residents to visit masswoods.net, which has contacts for appraisers and foresters.
There also is an emergency forest restoration program through the Massachusetts Farm Service Agency that will help people pay for the cost of tree removal; call (413) 585-1000 for information.
The program is open to everyone, regardless of property size. Landowners with more than five acres will be required to have a forest cutting plan. There is a 20 day sign-up period.
Residents also had questions about the types of trees to plant, and were directed to the state Department of Conservation and Recreation's website, mass.gov/dcr, specifically the section on the Asian Longhorned Beetle problem.
Eric Seaborn, of the DCR, said the tree situation in Monson is similar to what happened in the Worcester area with the beetle infestation, as numerous trees need to be replaced in both communities.