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Local Aid and Finance 26 towns, districts seek emergency borrowing authority in wake of Irene
The flood damage caused by tropical storm Irene on Aug. 28 has prompted 24 communities and two districts to contact the Division of Local Services seeking permission for emergency borrowing under state law (M.G.L. Ch. 44, Sec. 31).
Virtually all of the applications are based on the need to make emergency repairs to roads and bridges, according to the DLS. As of Sept. 14, the agency had approved 21 of the applications.
Applications have been approved for Adams, Ashfield, Buckland, Colrain, Deerfield, Dighton, Florida, Hawley, Heath, Leyden, Monroe, New Marlborough, North Brookfield, Oxford, Peru, Rehoboth, Rowe, Sandisfield, Templeton and Worthington, and for the Sherwood Greens Road Improvement District in Beckett.
Communities not yet approved, or that have yet to submit applications but have expressed interest, include Beckett, Charlemont, Greenfield, Monterey and the Hoosac Water District.
Following Irene, President Barack Obama declared Berkshire and Franklin counties as major disaster areas, opening the door to federal aid for residents, businesses and communities in the two counties. The declaration means communities are eligible for a 75 percent federal reimbursement of the cost of debris removal, emergency measures, and infrastructure repair or replacement.
The Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency is working with its federal counterpart to set up briefings and disaster recovery centers, according to the DLS.
DLS Bulletin 2011-12B outlines the procedures involved with authorizing deficit spending for emergency purposes.
The Department of Revenue, meanwhile, has issued guidance on tax filing for residents of Berkshire and Franklin counties affected by the tropical storm. The DOR is granting automatic extensions, until Oct. 31, for certain tax filings and payments otherwise required to be made by residents between Aug. 27 and Oct. 31.
Local Aid and Finance 26 towns, districts seek emergency borrowing authority in wake of Irene
26 towns, districts seek emergency borrowing authority in wake of Irene
The flood damage caused by tropical storm Irene on Aug. 28 has prompted 24 communities and two districts to contact the Division of Local Services seeking permission for emergency borrowing under state law (M.G.L. Ch. 44, Sec. 31).
Virtually all of the applications are based on the need to make emergency repairs to roads and bridges, according to the DLS. As of Sept. 14, the agency had approved 21 of the applications.
Applications have been approved for Adams, Ashfield, Buckland, Colrain, Deerfield, Dighton, Florida, Hawley, Heath, Leyden, Monroe, New Marlborough, North Brookfield, Oxford, Peru, Rehoboth, Rowe, Sandisfield, Templeton and Worthington, and for the Sherwood Greens Road Improvement District in Beckett.
Communities not yet approved, or that have yet to submit applications but have expressed interest, include Beckett, Charlemont, Greenfield, Monterey and the Hoosac Water District.
Following Irene, President Barack Obama declared Berkshire and Franklin counties as major disaster areas, opening the door to federal aid for residents, businesses and communities in the two counties. The declaration means communities are eligible for a 75 percent federal reimbursement of the cost of debris removal, emergency measures, and infrastructure repair or replacement.
The Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency is working with its federal counterpart to set up briefings and disaster recovery centers, according to the DLS.
DLS Bulletin 2011-12B outlines the procedures involved with authorizing deficit spending for emergency purposes.
The Department of Revenue, meanwhile, has issued guidance on tax filing for residents of Berkshire and Franklin counties affected by the tropical storm. The DOR is granting automatic extensions, until Oct. 31, for certain tax filings and payments otherwise required to be made by residents between Aug. 27 and Oct. 31.
