Snow/Ice Debt May Melt

Snow/Ice Debt May Melt
FEMA reimbursement could cut the deficit down to just $3,000
Eryn Dion
News Staff Writer

TEMPLETON  In what will hopefully be the last utterances of the words “snow” and “ice” until next winter, interim Town Administrator Bob Markel told selectmen he was hopeful this year’s historic deficit will be almost completely covered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

Record-breaking snowfall, frigid temperatures and skyrocketing road salt prices caused the town to quickly outstrip the $125,000 allotted in its snow and ice budget — leaving it with a deficit of more than $110,000 once spring finally broke.

However, the town has qualified to have the majority of those expenses potentially reimbursed up to $107,000 due to the declaration of a local state of emergency during the late-January blizzard, which brought more than a foot of snow, as well as statewide travel bans in the region.

“We still have the prospect of getting all but $3,000 of that deficit reimbursed by FEMA,” Mr. Markel said.

In another piece of good news, Mr. Markel explained, Gov. Charlie Baker has signed legislation that will allow cities and towns to spread this year’s deficit over three years, reducing the impact that an unplanned $100,000 expense could have on operating budgets.

“If we want to use that provision, we can do that without any great pressure on the budget,” Mr. Markel said.

However, with the majority of the deficit possibly being covered by FEMA reimbursements and $51,000 already worked into the budget to cover last year’s snow and ice overages, the administrator recommended that selectmen settle the debt as soon as possible, keeping it off the tax recap and out of future budgets.

“I don’t think we’re going to have to fund this deficit through the operating budget,” he said.

The board agreed, with Selectman Julie Farrell stating that pushing the deficit off could land the town in financial hot water.

“It’s just going to keep snowballing,” she said.

While there was discussion about raising next year’s snow and ice budget by an additional $25,000, selectmen decided to keep the account level-funded for at least another year.