Woodstock Early Bird Update: We’ve learned this Wednesday morning that there is still some confusion over whether the currently un-heated portion of the Grange Hill church will continue to be needed even after FEMA vacates the office portion of the building. Thus, there may still be a need to funding to keep the church heated.
We hear that some anonymous donors have come forward with generous offers to provide heating assistance for the Grange Hill facility. However, the various parties involved are still discussing whether there is a need to keep the clothing donation center open through the winter or not. Also, we have not yet heard exactly how long FEMA wishes to continue its work here in Woodstock. There had been some talk that the clothing donations collected for Tropical Storm Irene victims would be “folded-in” to the Glad Rags Sale. However, that decision and news has NOT yet been made. Jim Pierce of the Grange Hill Community says that obviously if there is not a need to keep the building open through the winter, the group would, of course, withdraw its request. The group is not seeking any funds from the Town of Woodstock except as needed for keeping the Disaster Flood Recovery Center open. WEB
In one of the quirkier mysteries of the federal government, we have learned that the Federal Emergency Management Agency is not required to pay and will not be paying any rent for use of space for its “Disaster Recovery Center.”
The Grange Hill Community has been providing the space (the old “Rock Church) for both the FEMA center and a clothing distribution point. But, use of the building is not without costs.
Last night Grange Hill representatives Patsy Highberg and Jim Pierce asked the Woodstock Selectboard for financial assistance to cover the cost of electricity, heat, water and so forth for the building now being used by FEMA that they had all but moth-balled.
Pierce says FEMA was offered several options for space in Woodstock but liked the West Woodstock location for its ability to provide privacy for those seeking help and that it was in also along a visible Route 4 location. They were able to set up in the Grange Hill space within a half day and have been operating out of there since. It’s not known yet how long they plan to be there although Pierce says an agreement had several potential end dates including November 6th. The deadline for FEMA applications is October 31st. However, Pierce says there is now a FEMA center in White River Junction and that FEMA officials here may “stand down” sooner than that. Still, there are bills to be paid.
The Selectboard responded that it understood the problem but until it knew what the costs are, it could not take any action. However, Town Manager Phil Swanson said there have been some funds donated for general flood response that may be appropriate for paying some of the Grange Hill “rent”. Also, he said, People’s Bank may be able to help. He suggested that going forward that Highberg pass along bills and that Swanson will present them to the Selectboard for review and possible payment out of unrestricted flood response funds.
Julia Carlisle
Woodstock Early Bird 