Hurricane Sandy to Cost Tolland $112,000

Although the exact figures have not yet been finalized, it looks like Hurricane Sandy will set Tolland back about $112,000 in expenses, according to an agenda item presented to the town council at its Tuesday meeting. 

According to the meeting agenda, the storm costs breaks down as follows:

• $30,301.50 in overtime (Administration, Public Safety, Public Works, Human Services)
• $3,777.71 in FICA, Medicare, pension expenses
• $3,449.37 for supplies
• $60,471.45  in estimated operational costs
• $14,000 in estimated future costs

It appears that Hurricane Sandy will be costlier than Hurricane Irene, which racked up $72,445.37 in expenses, but will pale to last year's October snowstorm with $486,034.19.

Town Manager Steven Werbner suggested that the council use the excess of $121,976 of FEMA funds from the previous storms to cover the costs. The council set a public hearing on the appropriation of funds for November 27. 

Werbner added that it is not yet clear if Tolland will be eligible for FEMA funds for Hurricane Sandy damage.

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More Council Decisions

The council approved the creation of a subcommittee to organize and research the formation of a Tolland Agricultural Committee.

Council members also approved Werbner's recommendations concerning a building committee for the lights and artificial turf project at Tolland High School. Werbner suggested that two town employees, two school board employees, one town council member, one school board member, two representatives from the sports groups fundraising for the project and one person from the community make up the committee.

School board member Steve Clark mentioned that while the school board has approved a project to install lights on the field, the board has not yet voted on the artificial turf project.

Tolland has recieved $700,000 from two state grants and will bond $300,000 to be paid back by local sports groups, to pay for the project.