The Village of Saddle Rock has requested more than $50,000 in reimbursements from FEMA for repairs made in the wake of Hurricane Sandy, according to Mayor Dan Levy.
“I explained to them that I had laid out $20,000 just to remove all the trees…but within 24 hours we cleared the roads for police, ambulances and fire trucks, so it was well worth it,” Levy said at the village board’s meeting Wednesday, Dec. 12.
The village also submitted claims for other storm-related projects, including improvements to a seawall on the north side of Saddle Rock and some work on the west side seawall, Levy said.
Levy said the village was working with state authorities to obtain permits for the seawall repairs.
“This is a work in progress that involves New York State as well,” Levy said.
Levy described how a crew from Missouri significantly assisted in restoring power to Saddle Rock following Hurricane Sandy’s wrath.
After a meeting at the LIPA substation in Great Neck Plaza, Levy said, he was informed of a crew that had been sleeping in their cars for days, and could not return home to Missouri.
Levy said he opened up Village Hall for the crew to stay, while they made repairs in Saddle Rock.
“This is how the power was restored by Thursday,” Levy said.
Overall, Levy said, the damage in Saddle Rock was “not horrendous…only monetary,” and said FEMA had agreed to reimbursements for an additional pick up of storm debris that was placed in public streets by residents.
“It’s unsightly and dangerous, especially with possible snowfall coming up,” Levy said, adding that the village will be putting together a crew for the pickup and to notify residents.
The village, he said, has also filed a claim with its insurance agent for a 100 kWh generator at Village Hall that failed following the storm. The 10-cylinder generator will be replaced for $5,000.
Levy said the pump room of the pool, which contained new engines, was also flooded.
“If there is a problem with the engines, we will submit to FEMA for them to be replaced,” Levy said.
Multiple light fixtures around the village have still not been repaired, which Levy attributed to the power being disconnected.
Levy said the village is continuing to make repairs and is coordinating its efforts with LIPA.
