Better late than never: Clinton has received $183,000 in reimbursement from the federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for repair work done in the aftermath 2012’s Superstorm Sandy. The town is on track to recoup additional money in the next two months, as well.

The town is expecting to receive an additional $359,000 for a total of $542,000. First Selectman Christine Goupil said that the first payment was received early in October, and that the total sum would be in by the end of year.

“I would anticipate receipt of the funds within the next two months based on recent actions by the Division of Emergency Management and Homeland Security and FEMA,” Goupil said at the Oct. 9 Board of Selectmen meeting.

A total of $749,074 in projects are still under final review for other projects, Goupil said.

When Superstorm Sandy hit the shoreline in autumn 2012, it left significant damage in its wake. The town paid for repair projects on West and Shore roads, the Beach Park Road culvert, and Causeway Road.

Goupil said that the process can be slow when it comes to FEMA projects because of the multitude of reviews that must be undergone.

“It is imperative to stay engaged with state and federal procurement offices and our legislators to move the reimbursements along in the review process,” Goupil said.

The FEMA funds will be placed in the general fund. The funds could be used for town-approved capital projects in the coming year if the reimbursements raise the fund balance above the 12 percent that bond rating agencies need to keep the town’s credit rating stable, Goupil said.

Goupil said that the town is also starting to get reimbursements from the flash flood that resulted from heavy rainfall that fell on Sept. 25, 2018 and caused evacuations on several streets due to fears about the safety of a dam in the area.