Clinton Secures FEMA Commitment to Meet with North Tonawanda Officials

Press Release

Clinton Secures FEMA Commitment to Meet with North Tonawanda Officials

FEMA and North Tonawanda Officials will Meet to Discuss Reimbursement Concerns from the October Snowstorm

Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton today announced that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will meet with North Tonawanda community leaders to discuss moving forward on reimbursement options from the damage from the October 2006 storm. The announcement follows a meeting that Senator Clinton's staff had today in Washington, DC with North Tonawanda Mayor Lawrence Soos, North Tonawanda Superintendent of Public Works Gary Franklin, and North Tonawanda Chief Engineer Dale Marshall. The meeting today was held to discuss FEMA's failure to reimburse the Township for the removal of hazardous limbs.

"The Township of North Tonawanda did what it needed to do to protect residents, property and neighborhoods in the aftermath of the October snowstorm. As quickly as possible, the Town removed hazardous tree limbs that were brought down by the disaster and took steps to clear away debris. It is nearly a year after the snowstorm and North Tonawanda has yet to be reimbursed by FEMA. I am pleased that FEMA has agreed to go up to North Tonawanda next week to meet with local officials so we can determine what needs to be done to get the Town the reimbursement it deserves. I urge FEMA to approve the Town's second appeal and provide the necessary reimbursement as quickly as possible," said Senator Clinton.

Senator Clinton's office secured the commitment today from FEMA that they would travel to North Tonawanda sometime early next week to discuss what is needed to enable the Town to move forward. It is anticipated that FEMA will meet with North Tonawanda Mayor Lawrence Soos, North Tonawanda Superintendent of Public Works Gary Franklin, and North Tonawanda Chief Engineer Dale Marshall, among others. While some communities face only a few hundred dollars in removal costs, many towns face a bill of tens of thousands of dollars. The Town of North Tonawanda is footing a bill of over $845,000 for the removal of roughly 70,000 dangerous limbs and trees ravaged during the October snowstorm.

Public Assistance was made available to state and local governments for debris removal and emergency protective measures to save lives, and protect public health, safety and property. FEMA has denied North Tonawanda's claims for reimbursement.

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