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Town Sorts
Out Storm Damage

By Kathy Kurtz Ferrari
Staff Writer
4/8/10
Residents, businesses and town departments are still mopping up after record rainfall inundated the area twice in the past month.

On March 29, President Obama declared Norfolk County – along with six others in the state – disaster areas, making federal disaster aid programs available to individuals and families affected by the first storm.

Department of Public Works Director Joe Lynch said the town itself should also see assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

“We’re optimistic, and have a level of confidence that we will see reimbursement of up to 75 percent of eligible town expenses incurred,” he said.

Lynch said the word “eligible” was key, as not all town expenses are considered eligible. For instance, some overtime pay will be considered eligible, while others will not.

He said once federal authorities made the initial declaration of disaster that opened up assistance, it usually takes about a week to 10 days for public programs to be made available to municipalities. He noted that it would take several months of administrative work before funding actually becomes available to the town.

Residents and small businesses affected can find information about FEMA assistance by visiting the Web site www.FEMA.gov and clicking on links labeled “Massachusetts Severe Storms and Flooding.”

Those affected can begin the disaster application process by registering online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov, or by calling (800) 621-FEMA, or for the hearing impaired (800) 462-7585. Assistance is available to victims of both storms: March 12 to 15 and March 29 to 30.

According to Lynch, an avoidable occurrence took place during the flooding rains and residents need to be aware for future storms.

“What we found to be most disturbing was the high degree of sewerage backup into homes, and that was directly related to storm water entering into the sewer system,” he said.

Homeowners should not be emptying their sump pumps or draining water from their basements into home plumbing. Lynch said in some cases, people may be emptying floodwater into a sink, toilet or sewer cap.

“It is a violation of federal law to do that, and during these storms it was overburdening the sewerage systems. Those backups are 100 percent attributable to people’s illicit use of the sewer system,” he said.

He said the proper directioning of storm water, such as from a sump pump or other devise, should be sent across the ground outside a home where it can make its way into the ground or storm drains on the street.

Lynch said there is an ongoing investigation in a neighborhood where a homeowner took a cover off a manhole – more than once during the two storms – to allow water from a flooding driveway to drain storm water into the manhole. That directly caused sewerage to back up into his neighbors’ homes. This action is against the law.

“We understand that people do rash things in an emergency, but we are in the middle of investigating this,” said Lynch, who added that the sewer system is a separate and distinct system for home use for laundry, toilets and other household water needs. The storm drain system is for storm water runoff.

“We welcome people to call Public Works with any questions when it comes to something like this,” Lynch added.

With the expected FEMA funds for the town itself, some may be sent to ensure that this type of disaster never happens again.

According to Town Planner Bill Clark, the Selectmen signed a plan for disaster mitigation two years ago.“Milton is lucky because of this,” he said. “Selectmen signed the multi-hazard mitigation plan, which was accepted by FEMA. It details projects we’d like to see fixed in Milton, so things like this never happen again.”

Clark actually wrote the plan when he worked for the Metropolitan Area Planning Council, so he is well aware of what possible funding could mean for the town.

According to Clark, possible projects that could help prevent future flooding would include removal of the Baker Dam in Lower Mills; drainage improvements of Cunningham Brook, Trout Brook and others; vegetation cleanout of other brooks around the town; and others.

“This helps repetitive loss areas,” Clark added. “There would be X-percent made available to help communities prevent something like this happening again. It’s more cost effective for FEMA to do this, rather than having to pay for people’s homes again later.”