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Fletcher council details storm cleanup, FEMA aid and approves $300 staff bonus
Summary
The Fletcher Town Council heard a detailed hurricane response update — debris removal, park and bridge damage, FEMA assistance and likely reimbursements — and approved a one-time $300 bonus for each town employee; officials said FEMA will reimburse most eligible costs but local estimates remain preliminary.
The Fletcher Town Council on Nov. 15 received an update on tropical-storm cleanup and recovery, and approved a one-time $300 bonus for each Town of Fletcher employee.
Town Manager Mark told council that Southern Disaster Response (SDR) is the contractor conducting debris removal across Fletcher and that work is proceeding “in earnest.” He reported isolated contractor damage — curbs gouged and at least one water connection damaged on Kimsey Road — and said the county engineer is coordinating contractor claims. “We’re forwarding any notifications like that a potential damage from the contractor to the county,” Mark said.
Mark urged residents to use an online debris-reporting form posted on the town and county websites so crews can be alerted to missed material. He said FEMA extended the deadline to apply for Individual Assistance to Jan. 7, 2025, giving more time for residents to apply for aid for qualifying home damage and related expenses.
The town’s parks sustained the largest facility damage, Mark said. Tree debris has been mostly cleared and the main pedestrian bridge is structurally intact after an engineer’s inspection, but one bank connection washed out and will require reinforcement and repairs. Mark said fencing and sediment removal remain, and the courts (pickleball/tennis/basketball) will be among the last park areas to be cleared.
On insurance and reimbursement, Mark said the town is compiling a Public Assistance list for FEMA and that FEMA typically reimburses about 75% of eligible costs. He gave a preliminary estimate that the town’s total response expenses “could be approaching — we’re hoping below a million but upwards of a million dollars,” and emphasized figures are not final.
Council members pressed on specifics: one asked whether the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers would perform stream or bank repairs. Mark replied the Corps regulates and assesses permit needs but that actual repair work generally requires engineers and permitting at the property level.
During the meeting council debated how best to recognize staff who worked extended hours during the response. After discussion about amounts and logistics, a council member moved to approve a $300 bonus for each town employee; the motion was seconded and passed by voice vote. The meeting record shows those in favor said “I”; the official vote tally was not specified. Mark said staff would return with any necessary budget amendment to cover department salary-line adjustments.
Mayor Pro Tem Sheila Franklin and other members thanked staff for emergency response work and community support. The council also noted next steps: bidding for fence replacement and repair work once cost estimates and procurement thresholds are clear, then submitting eligible costs to FEMA for reimbursement.
The council concluded the discussion and moved on to other agenda items.
