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After heavy storms, Pompton Lakes reviews recovery, seeks funding for $9M DPW garage replacement
Summary
Council and emergency management praised residents and volunteers for storm response, described hydrant‑flushing and FEMA damage‑compilation steps, and the administration said the DPW garage replacement is estimated at $9,000,000 with staff pursuing federal and state funding (including a congressional earmark).
Pompton Lakes council spent a large portion of its Feb. 25 meeting reviewing the borough’s response to recent heavy snowstorms, thanking emergency crews and volunteers and setting immediate recovery and funding steps.
Mayor and administration praised police, fire, DPW and CERT volunteers for coordinating plowing, emergency access and shelter planning. Emergency management staff said the state of emergency declared during the storms has been rescinded and the borough is compiling damage and cost figures to seek state and FEMA public‑assistance reimbursements once aggregate thresholds are met.
Administrator Michael Corral told the council that replacement of the DPW garage is a priority and currently estimated at $9,000,000; staff are pursuing federal and state appropriations and plan a grant submittal through the congressional earmark process. Corral asked the council to help advocate for funding at the state and federal levels. The borough also scheduled a hydrant‑flushing program (April 20, 2026) and urged residents to run cold water if discoloration appears during maintenance.
Residents raised operational concerns: some said the county did not plow past certain streets until prompted; others complained an auto‑body shop on Cannonball Road regularly leaves vehicles on sidewalks and in the street, which police and building officials said they are addressing with summonses and enforcement. The council discussed towing persistent violators only when there is a roadway obstruction or public‑safety hazard.
What happens next: Administration will submit project materials for the DPW garage appropriation, continue FEMA cost compilation, and publish recovery guidance; DPW and police will continue enforcement and sanitation work as the borough moves from immediate response to recovery.
