Additional aid for tornado relief on the way

Date: 8/8/2012

By Carley Dangona

carley@thereminder.com

WEST SPRINGFIELD — On July 31, the town received approval from the secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA), for the "Additional Tornado Relief Funds" grant for $141,690, to assist with continued tornado recovery efforts in the Merrick neighborhood.

"Hopefully we will be able to make improvements down in that section, to restore their neighborhood as it was before the tornado," Douglas Mattoon, director of Planning & Development, said.

Stephanie Cooper, assistant secretary for the EEA department of Land and Forest Conservation, commended the town's efforts, "Thank you for all the information. Tell your people what a great job they did."

Mayor Gregory C. Neffinger highlighted some of the repairs needed in the Merrick section, "The grant enables us to make improvements to intersections that were affected by the storm. There is also some signage that was blown down which needs repair."

Mattoon said, "The grant is very specific about what the funds are for."

According to the detailed cost estimate report from Neffinger's office, the funds are designated as follows:

• The demolition of a residential home located at on Bridge Street, $45,000;

• Restoration of roadway stripping and 40 crosswalks, $5,800;

• Replacement of 50 street and regulatory signs, $2,350

• Repair and replacement of the sidewalk, and related structures, $27,000

• Cleaning of the storm water system approximately 300 catch basins and 6.2 miles of storm drain, $21,542;

• Removal of 20 trees within the public right-of-way, $40,000.

The report also details the completion timeline for each project. The goal is to complete the work over a three-month period from September to November of this year.

Also noted in the report is the need for tree replacement and the town's intention to apply for a grant from the Department of Conservation and Recreation to cover the expense.