RBW at St. Leo’s Hall, lower level
802-839-6000
www.rebuildwaterbury.org
Municipal Offices at Village Fire Station
802-244-7033
www.waterburyvt.com
Waterbury Flood-Relief Update
Tuesday, Nov. 29, 2011
MEETING TONIGHT ON PERMIT PROCESS FOR FLOOD-DAMAGED PROPERTIES
The Town of Waterbury will host a meeting at 7 p.m. tonight in the cafeteria at Thatcher Brook
Primary School to review regulations for building permits as they pertain to flood-damaged
buildings. Town, state and federal officials will be on hand to explain the rules and answer
questions. Property owners who have begun work without permits may obtain after-the-fact
approval. For more information, contact Waterbury Zoning Administrator Clare Rock, 244-1018
or [email protected].
BRAINSTORM WATERBURY’S LONG-TERM RECOVERY WEDNESDAY
Waterbury is one of three Vermont communities chosen by the Federal Emergency
Management Administration to receive Long-Term Community Recovery support. Local officials
last week formally accepted this offer from FEMA. The kickoff for this process happens
Wednesday in the Green Mountain Coffee Roasters meeting room, 81 Demeritt Place;
refreshments 6:45 p.m., meeting 7-9 p.m. FEMA officials will explain the process followed by a
brainstorming session to generate ideas for post-flood community vision, goals, projects. FEMA
will help develop ideas and identify funding sources. Everyone with ideas for how we move
ahead is welcome. This group is expected to meet several times in the next two months. Select
Board Chair Rebecca Ellis ([email protected]) and Town Planer Steve Lotspeich
([email protected]) will coordinate meetings.
VOLUNTEER WORK DAY SATURDAY
This Saturday’s volunteer work effort will be the last one organized by Belle McDougall who
has volunteered for weeks to match up volunteer help with homeowner projects. Thank you
Belle!! Homeowners with a project needing help may either call the Flood Relief Hotline 802839-6000 or stop by the ReBuild Waterbury office at St. Leo’s Hall to fill out a help request
form. Those who would like to volunteer to work may call the hotline or email Belle McDougall
directly at [email protected]. Small groups are welcome. Meeting place: St. Leo’s Hall,
109 S. Main St., 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Lunch provided. Future weekend efforts will be organized by
Mame McKee, RBW’s volunteer coordinator. Volunteers may contact her to find out about
opportunities to help. Call or email at [email protected].
LAST WEEK TO BID ON A WEEK’S STAY IN FLORIDA TO BENEFIT RBW!!
Thanks to a generous donation, RBW is auctioning off a week’s rental (Jan. 1-7) at the Fort
Lauderdale Beach Resort, 909 Breakers Ave., Ft. Lauderdale, FL. The high-rise ocean-view
condo sleeps 6, has a heated pool, day spa, fitness center and more. The winner must
provide transportation. Bids will be taken through Nov. 30 on RBW’s Facebook page or at
802-585-5202. Updates posted on Facebook and on WDEV.
RBW STAFF IS ON THE JOB: ReBuild Waterbury staff is working out of the lower level of St.
Leo’s Hall, 109 S. Main St. They are answering the Flood Relief Hotline number 839-6000. Case
Manager Eileen Simpson and Construction Manager Dave Kerr have begun meeting
homeowners in flood-damaged neighborhoods to check on reconstruction progress and
determine what the biggest needs are. They hope to coordinate volunteer labor, donated and
bulk-purchases of materials to help the rebuilding effort so residents can return to their homes
as soon as possible. Call or email them at [email protected] and
[email protected].
RENT AND MORTGAGE HELP STILL AVAILABLE: The Vermont Association of Realtors and
National Association of Realtors’ Realtor Relief Foundation has grants of up to $1,500 to cover
mortgage payments for primary residences or rent for temporary housing. Simple application,
no income limits. Info: 229-0513 or www.vtrealtor.com. Click Realtor Relief Foundation Grant.
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DEADLINE WEDNESDAY FOR EFFICIENCY VERMONT ASSISTANCE
Wednesday is the deadline to apply for free flood-repair assessments with air
sealing for flood-damaged homes and small businesses. Efficiency Vermont has been
working alongside local Weatherization Agencies and Building Performance Institute
certified contractors to provide this service. The assessments will be most helpful to
those who have NOT yet insulated or enclosed walls where there was flood damage. To
request an assessment, fill out an online form at www.efficiencyvermont.org or call 888921-5990. Those who have already begun rebuilding but have questions may still
contact an Efficiency Vermont Customer Support Specialist at the same number.
Wednesday is also the deadline to request a rebate on replacement heating and
water-heating equipment for systems up to 250mbh. The rebate applies to homes and
small businesses that had flood damage. Replacement of larger commercial heating
systems may use the standard Efficiency Vermont 2011 HVAC Rebate Form.
Other Efficiency Vermont rebates apply to purchases of select new Energy Star rated
household appliances such as refrigerators, clothes washers and dehumidifiers.
Forms, details and more info.: www.EfficiencyVermont.org / 888-921-5990
SAFETY CHECK REBATE FOR PROPANE HOT WATER AND CENTRAL HEATING SYSTEMS
Having a safety check on a newly installed propane hot water or central heating system is the
best way to ensure homeowner safety and is required by Vermont building code. The Propane
Gas Association offers a $300 rebate for the post-installation safety check of propane hot water
and $500 on propane central heating systems. The rebate offer usually only applies to new
installations of propane equipment, but the Propane Gas Association has extended the rebate
to Vermonters affected by Tropical Storm Irene to cover replacement of existing propane
equipment installations (propane to propane). The rebate offer applies to safety checks
completed by Dec. 31 or until funds are depleted. For more information, call the Propane Gas
Association of New England at 888-445-1075.
FOOD SHELF PREPARES FOR THE HOLIDAYS: Sign up now for a December holiday food
box at the Waterbury Food Shelf, 57 S. Main St., or call 244-1561. The boxes have all the
fixings for a holiday feast: turkey, stuffing, gravy, pie, fresh fruits, veggies and more. Leave a
name, number of family members, and contact number in phone messages. Food shelf hours:
10-noon Mondays and Fridays, Wednesday 2-6 p.m. If you cannot make those times, director
Cara Griswold will make appointments; reach her at 999-7014.