Maine to get storm funding

PORTSMOUTH, N.H. – More than $1.7 million has been obligated for reimbursement of snow-removal costs incurred as a result of the record December snowfalls in Maine, according to the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

Under President Bush’s emergency declaration for the December storm, 11 Maine counties became eligible to apply for 75 percent funding of emergency snow-removal costs during a 48-hour period Dec. 6 through 7. Those counties are Androscoggin, Aroostook, Cumberland, Franklin, Hancock, Kennebec, Oxford, Penobscot, Piscataquis, Somerset and Washington.

A second emergency declaration for the Dec. 14-15 storm included seven Maine counties: Aroostook, Franklin, Hancock, Penobscot, Piscataquis, Somerset and Washington.

“We have completed and approved more than 239 project worksheets, covering snow-removal costs from nearly 340 applicants in the declared counties for both declarations,” said James N. Russo, federal coordinating officer for the disaster.

Maine officials said applicants can be reimbursed for operating snow clearance equipment, contractors’ costs and overtime costs.