Brookfield Storm Recovery Efforts

From the First Selectman:
Friday, June 8   

In the wake of the worst natural disaster in Brookfield history, it's understandable there is some incorrect information circulating about the town helping homeowners clean up individual properties.

 

Each property owner is responsible for clearing their own property. Unfortunately, the town is not able to assume that responsibility.

 

We are asking residents to send us photos and descriptions of damage to include in our FEMA application for assistance. We also ask that you to keep all receipts for expenses incurred to support our request for FEMA to pay for some expenses, and for Brookfield to be declared a disaster area. To be clear, even if the President declares a disaster, we have no assurance that FEMA will cover any expenses for damage or cleanup.

   

FEMA has given us very limited information, with many caveats. We simply have no idea if we will receive FEMA aid and what it might cover.  FEMA informed us there will be a final determination at the end of August.

 

The town has scheduled a town meeting Wednesday, June 6 at 7 p.m. at Brookfield High School to authorize cleanup of the town right-of-way only. We are not voting on a town-wide cleanup.

 

We will continue to discuss the possibility of a town-wide cleanup after we hear what, if anything, FEMA will provide, but FEMA rules, as we understand them, do not allow the town to go onto private properties to do clean up.

      

I hope this newsletter clarifies the current situation. We will continue to share information as we learn more.

 

I continue to be most appreciative of the dedication and hard work of all our volunteers and residents as we work together to recover from this storm. For many of you there is a long road to recovery ahead, yet I am convinced that working together, we will get there. Again and again, I am reminded of why Brookfield is such a wonderful town.  

 

Thank you, 

Steve Dunn