August 11, 2023 | By Lisa Scagliotti

*Flood recovery supplies can be found outside and inside the Waterbury municipal building. Photo by Lisa Scagliotti*

Supplies for flood recovery projects soon will be moved into a storage container at the Waterbury municipal offices as projects to assist with cleanup wind down.

Flood Recovery Coordinator Tom Drake said he and volunteers will be canvassing the flood-impacted neighborhoods soon to get an updated assessment of the remaining needs.

Tasks on Friday that Drake listed included helping one homeowner with well-water testing, advising others on flood-related trash disposal, and visiting a home in Waterbury Center that still has mud from the Thatcher Brook in its basement.

While many affected homes and buildings have been cleaned out already, Drake said work remains such as replacing appliances, furnaces and water heaters as well as mold prevention. Some work will require contractors, he said, and most will cost money. Sizing up the financial need is another task to determine how local fundraising might assist after property owners go through insurance and FEMA disaster-aid claims, he noted.

Revitalizing Waterbury has launched a local fundraising campaign for the 2023 Waterbury Relief Fund that will look to assist residential and commercial property owners with some of their recovery expenses. (scroll down for more information) That process has not been crafted yet and its potential will be determined by the support the fund receives.

Drake noted that although the majority of buildings were only flooded in basements, some structures did have flood waters enter first floors, resulting in more extensive — and expensive — damage. Any property owner interested in considering a buyout should contact Waterbury Municipal Manager Tom Leitz at tleitz@waterburyvt.com. Drake said town officials are looking at creative ways to approach buyouts for properties facing significant repairs.

How to help and get help

The town website Waterburyvt.com has a resource document with helpful information about cleanup, registering for FEMA assistance, aid through the Waterbury Good Neighbor Fund and more.

It also has a link to the online signup form where volunteers may sign up to help with daily projects in specific homes or buildings. Currently there is a signup for Sunday, Aug.13, where volunteers are needed.

Tasks now include some hands-on work such as cleanup, hauling and mold mitigation. Other help is needed to assist homeowners with forms and processing of insurance and various forms and applications for financial assistance.

Anyone who would like help with recovery-related tasks should send an email to Waterburyhelp@gmail.com or leave a message at 802-585-1152.

Humidifier roundup

*If you still have a heavy-duty dehumidifier that the town provided, please let Tom Drake know to keep track. Photo by Lisa Scagliotti*

The town government has rented heavy-duty dehumidifiers that have been deployed to basements across the flood zone for property owners to use free of charge. Many have been returned.

As buildings are dried out, they ask that the units be returned to the town offices. Pickup can be arranged as well. Drake says that some units are unaccounted for, likely having moved to a new location when the initial user finished with them. He asks if those still using a unit or with one to check in via email or phone to let him know where they are so they can be picked up when they are no longer needed. The town is paying the rental fees for the units and would like to return them in a timely manner.

Contact Drake at 802-760-0613 or email to Waterburyhelp@gmail.com.

Dumpsters gone - Hazardous waste dropoff ends Saturday

Trash containers provided by the town in Flood-affected bneighborhoods have been removed. Anyone still cleaning out with debris should leave trash curbside and contact Tom Drake to arrange for late pickup.

In addition, Saturday, Aug. 12, is the last day for the household hazardous waste collection at the former Vermont State Police barracks in Middlesex, 1078 U.S. Route 2. It’s open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. See the July 30 Flood Update for more details.

FEMA center

Federal Emergency Management Agency staffers continue to work at the Armory building daily, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Anyone with flood damage – residents and businesses – is reminded to register with FEMA.

More details on preparing to open a FEMA application, etc. are online in the town resource document.

Local financial assistance

See the July 30 Flood Update for details on the Good Neighbor Fund and the new 2023 Waterbury Relief Fund organized by Revitalizing Waterbury. RW’s announcement of that fund is here as well with a call for volunteers to assist with the process to manage the fund and its grants.

State grants for businesses including nonprofits

Gov. Phil Scott and the Vermont Department of Economic Development this week announced the opening of the $20 million Business Emergency Gap Assistance grant program for flood-affected businesses. The grant application portal is open with information about the process online. The program is open to for-profit and nonprofit companies as well as farms. Read more about the program in Business.

Two free resources

*A flood-damaged perennial bed on Randall Street. Photo by Lisa Scagliotti*

Free legal aid is available from the Vermont Bar Association for those impacted by flooding. Find information online at vtbar.org.
Free soil testing through Aug. 15: Free soil testing is available from the University of Vermont Extension Service through Aug. 15. The lab accepts mailed-in samples. Find more information online at uvm.edu/extension/agricultural-and-environmental-testing-lab. A Vermont Edition segment on Vermont Public this week addressed reviving flooded gardens as well.

Thank you celebration Aug. 18

Waterbury pottery artist and Elm/Randall Street resident Jeremy Ayers is organizing a thank-you celebration for flood-response volunteers in the courtyard at his home and studio at 18 Elm St. on Friday, Aug. 18, from 6 to 9 p.m. “We'll be toasting the volunteer efforts and dryer days to come!” he says in a recent announcement.

The party is BYOB. People are welcome to bring a picnic and a blanket. “Flood families, please feel free to invite the volunteers who helped out at your property and repost or share this invite,” he says.

See all recent Waterbury Roundabout Flood Updates in the News section.

Flood Recovery Update: Friday, Aug. 11