Click here to subscribe today or Login.
WILKES-BARRE — After a failed attempt at reimbursement for cleanup costs for the March 14 blizzard, the city will continue to pursue public funds to cover the unbudgeted expense, city administrator Ted Wampole said Tuesday.
The city pooled its $678,155 with other municipalities in Luzerne County and sent it to the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency last week. But the county Emergency Management Agency was notified Monday the state failed to reach its $18.2 million threshold to possibly be eligible for federal funds.
Wampole discussed the next step during city council’s work session.
“This process can take months even after the first rejection. Sometimes, it’s multiple rejections,” he said.
Wampole told council that Mayor Tony George has contacted U.S. Reps. Lou Barletta, R-Hazleton, and Matt Cartwright, D-Moosic, and the offices of U.S. Sens. Bob Casey, D-Scranton, and Pat Toomey, R-Zionsville.
The hope is the lawmakers can help the city find some other form of funding, possibly via grants.
The city compiled bills for the most expensive 48-hour period that it hired contractors and used its own crews to clear away the record snowfall that topped 2 feet in many places in Northeastern Pennsylvania.
The city has not yet compiled the final figure for the cleanup, said Operations Director Butch Frati. But it’s expected to be much more than the $678,155 figure.
On the agenda for council’s public meeting Thursday:
• The sale of a city-owned 3.06-acre vacant lot on Scott Street to Michael J. Prushinski for $45,000.
• The award of a $12,800 contract to Stell Enterprises of Plains Township for the demolition of a house at 122-124 Spring St. The money will come out of the Community and Economic Development budget.
For other local news stories, click here.