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Officials presented a breakdown of the known costs associated with the storm to the Norwalk Board of Estimate and Taxation on Monday. But according to Finance Director Tom Hamilton, the costs of several outstanding repair projects remain undetermined, including renovation of the washed-out pier at Calf Pasture Beach.
“The departments of Public Works and Recreation and Parks are where we have additional exposure,” Hamilton said, referring to storm-related expenses. “We’re confident we’ll be back for an additional appropriation.”
The board unanimously voted to allow the city to dip into the “rainy day fund” to front the money associated with the storm cleanup until FEMA reimburses it.
Crews have made two passes through the city and picked up as much of the debris as they could by hand, Public Works Director Harold Alvord told the board. But more work is needed. “We lost more than 1,000 trees and more than 400 roads were blocked,” he said.
The temporary appropriation is what the contingency fund is for, Board Chairman Fred Wilms said. But he wanted assurances that using a portion of the multimillion pot would not affect the city’s standing with bond rating agencies.
A couple of ratings agencies have been in contact and said the appropriation will not carry an adverse effect, Hamilton said. “The agencies are aware of it and are monitoring it as it relates to a lot of municipalities.”
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