The FEMA reimbursement process is still ongoing for damage from the macroburst and tornadoes that ripped through Connecticut last May.  Brookfield Finance Director Marcia Marien gave an update to the Board of Selectmen at their meeting earlier this month.  

Special consideration was looked at when it  came to helping a specific animal that lives in the region. FEMA wanted to know what remediation plans were put in place before the trees were removed to help the one-horned bat.  If Brookfield cut down trees that had these bats in them, the town might not have been able to get reimbursement. 

Brookfield officials have been told that 3 of the 7 categories have been committed to the town, and they expect the rest of the money in the next month or so.  One department at FEMA is expected to transfer the debris removal category funding to another department this week to keep it moving toward Brookfield.  FEMA gives the money to the state, which is supposed to pass it along to municipalities. 

Brookfield is on target to get $2.8 million.  The town spent about $1.7 million, but FEMA gives towns $150 per hour for use of fire trucks.  When it comes to deciding on reimbursement for debris removal, FEMA requested specific information including diameter, type and height of trees, GPS of trees and where it was taken.  There were hundreds of trees to keep track of in Brookfield.