Milam Urges State to Seek Funding to Pay for Storm Cleanup

RELEASE FROM ASSEMBLY DEMOCRATS:
Says Federal Assistance Would Help Ease Burden on Local Governments
VINELAND — Assemblyman Matthew W. Milam (D-1st) on Monday (Dec. 21) morning urged Gov. Jon S. Corzine to request an emergency declaration from the federal government to help pay for costs rung up during the weekend’s record-setting snowstorm and to ease the burden for New Jersey property taxpayers.
Milam, a member of the Assembly transportation committee, said the Federal Emergency Management Agency can reimburse local agencies for 75 percent of costs of emergency protective measures, including snow removal, to save lives and to protect property and public health and safety.
“Scores of people worked long, hard hours over the weekend to ensure our roads were clear and public safety was protected,” Milam said. “But that work comes with a cost. Right now it’s a cost county and local governments and taxpayers cannot afford. We need to do what we can to get this federal assistance to help ease the blow and ensure this storm doesn’t slam property taxpayers anymore than it has already.”
The storm dumped as much as two-feet of snow in parts of New Jersey, a record for December. It also brought large drifts, high winds and beach erosion.
“This storm was of such severity and magnitude that it will likely be beyond the capabilities of many local governments to pay for their response without either slashing services severely or raising property taxes, and that’s the last thing we need right now,” Milam said. “This federal assistance would help ease some of the financial burden our municipalities incurred from
the storms, thus protecting our taxpayers.”
Under FEMA rules, eligible applicants can be reimbursed for operating snow clearance equipment, contractors’ costs and personnel overtime required for a 48-hour period of snow removal.
“Seeking this declaration and opening the door to this assistance is, quite simply, the right thing to do for our taxpayers,” Milam said. “It may be a long-shot, but you never know until you ask.”
Milam represents New Jersey’s 1st Legislative District, which includes Cape May County and parts of Atlantic and Cumberland counties.