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Lieberman, Blumenthal, Larson Announce $5.5 Million For West Hartford Storm Debris Removal

(Hartford, CT) – U.S. Senators Joseph Lieberman (I-CT) and Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) joined Congressman John Larson (CT-1) today in announcing $5.5 million in federal disaster assistance for the Town of West Hartford to pay for cleaning up debris from the October snowstorm that left millions in the Northeast without power for weeks.

"The Connecticut delegation worked hard to obtain federal funds to help the state recover from the ravages of Tropical Storm Irene and the October snowstorm last year. FEMA has pledged close to $43 million so far to reimburse the state for the costs of those two disasters," said Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee Chairman Joe Lieberman. "This latest funding is a result of the Administration’s disaster declaration related to the snowstorm. FEMA was there for Connecticut after both major disasters last year."

"West Hartford well deserves this reimbursement for the hard hit from last year’s October snow storm – a hard hit in financial costs as well as damage and debris," said Senator Blumenthal. "I’m pleased that this money helps make West Hartford whole for the hard work and sacrifice in the wake the storm."

"The day after the October snowstorm I joined West Hartford Mayor Scott Slifka in surveying the extensive damage done to the town of West Hartford," Congressman Larson said. "Under the Mayor’s tremendous leadership West Hartford has been able to recover from the storm, but the long term financial effects are still lingering. This funding will go a long way in helping the town recoup some of the damages it sustained last October and I am very grateful to the Obama administration for releasing this assistance."

"I want to thank the Connecticut delegation for their hard work and persistence on behalf of the town of West Hartford," West Hartford Mayor Scott Slifka said. "From the moment the power went out until the last tree was removed, our lawmakers at every level of government were engaged and working hard to make sure that West Hartford was reimbursed for every dollar they were eligible."

The funds, totaling $5,505,854.39, come in the form of a Public Assistance grant from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The funds represent the full amount requested by West Hartford.

Following the storm in October of last year, West Hartford, like many towns and cities across Connecticut, suffered damage from severe wind and precipitation, accumulating more than 338,000 cubic yards of debris on the town’s roads.

This Public Assistance Grant is made possible by President Obama’s November 17, 2011 Major Disaster Declaration which the Connecticut Congressional delegation supported.

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