Weston approves assignment of disaster-monitoring contract to Goodwin Mills Caywood; staff says FEMA reimbursement monitoring is critical

The Weston City Commission on Jan. 21 approved a resolution consenting to the assignment and assumption of the city's disaster monitoring and management services agreement (RFP 2021-02) from Wit O'Brien's LLC to Goodwin Mills Caywood LLC.

City Manager Don Decker explained the monitoring firm verifies debris-hauling quantities so FEMA can reimburse municipalities after declared disasters. Decker said the O'Brien division was sold and the acquiring company, Goodwin Mills Caywood, agreed to assume the existing agreement at current terms. The commission approved the assignment by unanimous vote.

Commissioners used the item to discuss broader emergency-preparedness issues. Commissioner Mary Molina McPhee noted the city continuously reviews emergency plans and cited lessons from recent disasters. Commissioners and staff discussed an ongoing national issue: FEMA generally does not reimburse cleanup on private roads unless certain conditions are met, a point several commissioners said they have advocated about at the federal level. Decker said the city has contracts with debris haulers and has included FEMA-compliant requirements in landscaping and parks contracts to provide fallback resources. He also said the city is conducting a comprehensive review of its emergency management plan with a consultant and that staff maintain required National Incident Management System trainings year-round.

The vote: moved by Commissioner Mary Molina McPhee, seconded by Commissioner Byron Jaffe; roll call unanimous 5-0.

Why it matters: the contract provides third-party verification needed for FEMA reimbursement for debris removal after disasters, and the discussion highlighted continuing constraints around private-road cleanup and the city's efforts to strengthen preparedness.