Windsor Locks Receiving $1.2 Million in Reimbursement Funds for Storm Alfred Cleanup

The Town of Windsor Locks will receive more than $1.1 million from the federal government in reimbursement for costs related to Storm Alfred in October 2011, officials announced Tuesday.

The Federal Emergency Management Administration is reimbursing Windsor Locks 75 percent or $1,176,630 and the Federal High Administration is adding $113,505, Victor Puia, town emergency management director, and First Selectman Steven N. Wawruck Jr. said in a press release.

After the storm, 56,938 cubic yards of debris were collected in Windsor Locks. Officials said in February that the town and residents collected 31,591 cubic yards, and the private contractor Ash Britt picked up 25,347 cubic yards. The total cost of cleanup was $1,568,840, the difference was spent out of regular department budgets, officials said.

Townspeople approved spending $1.4 million to remove all of the debris with the understanding that FEMA would reimburse 75 percent of the cost. The town originally allocated $1 million for debris removal, then an additional $400,000 in December.

“We are very pleased to announce the amount of this reimbursement, and would again like to thank all the departments and the many town volunteers that aided in the operation of our shelter, the distribution of  MRE’s , and all  the cleanup during and following the storm,” Puia and Wawruck said in a joint statement.