WESTWOOD—The Borough Council has approved more than $1 million in federal FEMA flood mitigation assistance to reimburse four local homeowners for elevating their homes above floodwaters.
On Sept. 17, the council passed Ordinance 24-26, allocating $1,017,803 from a 2022 FEMA Flood Mitigation Assistance grant to support these homeowners. Administrator Karen Hughes said a meeting is planned for October with the homeowners to begin the home elevation process.
To assist, the council awarded a contract to Black & Veatch Engineering, which will guide homeowners through the grant process. The contract is shared with New Milford, Hughes said. The elevation process is expected to take three years, with the homeowners likely needing to relocate for up to six months during construction.
At the project kickoff meeting, homeowners will learn their total reimbursement based on factors like flooding history, home foundation type, and alternative housing costs. They will select contractors from a list approved by the state.
In December 2023, a public notice on the borough website listed the homes to be elevated under FEMA’s program, which includes properties on Harding, Fitzgerald, and Benson avenues. The notice described the project as raising homes above the base flood elevation with a minimum of two feet of freeboard, protecting the homeowners and their belongings. FEMA determined this approach to be the most effective flood mitigation strategy.
Drone Report on Brooks?
Hughes said Boswell Engineering is finalizing its drone study on Pascack and Musquapsink brooks, addressing downed trees, sediment build-up, and streambank erosion—factors contributing to local flooding. Mayor Ray Arroyo previously reported 128 downed trees, 45 sediment shoals, and 21 areas of erosion, highlighting the need for intervention.
Arroyo also noted that four properties in Westwood are slated for buyouts under the state’s Blue Acres program, with five others waitlisted after Hurricane Ida funding.