City still working to qualify for FEMA funds
Peabody city officials have reached the final stages of their work with Federal Emergency Management Agency to qualify for emergency funds to pay for cleanup from the January ice storm.
Peabody City Administrator Jeff Benbrook said this week the city and FEMA are putting together "project worksheets."
"Ultimately the worksheets will determine how much reimbursement Peabody is eligible for," said Benbrook. "Our expenses pretty much fell into two categories: debris removal and emergency services. The worksheets will show those items."
Benbrook said the worksheets should be finalized soon, possibly as early as this week.
"There is no telling when the city will be reimbursed,"
he said. "It could be anywhere from 90 days to two years, depending on challenges and such.
"Also a factor will be whether or not there are actually any FEMA funds available."
Benbrook noted that Arbor Masters, the company cleaning up city park, began work Friday and will continue as the weather permits.
