FEMA personnel conducted damage assessments throughout the region during the week of June 11. The inspectors spent approximately 5 hours assessing damage in New Fairfield on Tuesday, June 12. There were two teams that toured our town, one assessing damage to private homes and a second assessing damage to town properties and costs associated with storm response and recovery. The regional FEMA office will compile this information and forward it to Washington for consideration as part of the Federal Disaster Declaration anticipated for our area. Such a Declaration would include both the type and amount of aid available. Thank you to everyone who provided photos and estimates via ‘nfstormdamage’ – we submitted all to FEMA as a supplement to their assessment, and the inspectors found it very helpful in establishing the scope of the damage.

As part of the damage assessment, FEMA measured and photographed the brush piles at the Drop Off Center, and we can now
chip and dispose of the material. Therefore, we have resumed accepting brush at no charge to residents until curbside pick- up begins.

As previously communicated, we prepared a ‘Request for Proposals’ for brush removal in accordance with applicable FEMA guidelines. Bids from five brush removal companies were received and as a result, a Town meeting will be held on Thursday, June 28 at 7:00 in the Community Room to appropriate funds to pay for the work. The meeting has been warned as follows:

Notice is hereby given to the electors of the Town of New Fairfield and those qualified to vote at Town Meeting that a meeting will be held on Thursday June 28, 2018 at 7:00 P.M. in the Community Room @ 33 Route 37 for the following purpose: To consider and act
upon the approval of an additional appropriation of $2,750,000 coming from the 2017-2018 revenue surplus and the remainder from the General Fund for
expenses related to the May 15th storm with all FEMA reimbursement to be deposited to the General Fund. All reasonable efforts will be made to secure FEMA reimbursement for all expenses undertaken.

If the appropriation is approved by voters, curb side brush removal is likely to begin the following week.

The Lions Club Fourth of July parade will be held on Wednesday morning. This is always a wonderful community event, and this year the Lions will be honoring our First Responders, who went above and beyond to keep us safe during and after the storm. I hope that you can join us to thank our Firefighters, Police, EMS, OEM and Public Works for all that they have done, and continue to do every time an emergency impacts our community. I wish everyone a Happy Fourth of July, and remind you to be aware of dry brush in the area as you celebrate.

– Pat Del Monaco, First Selectman