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Residents press board on FEMA reimbursements as town moves funds into 2026 highway account
Summary
A resident questioned whether FEMA reimbursements could be transferred between accounts; the Chair explained FEMA reimburses eligible work after verification and said 2023 flood reimbursements were placed in the town's 2026 highway fund, stressing recordkeeping and procedural compliance.
A resident asked whether the town could "just transfer that FEMA money like that," prompting a detailed explanation from the Chair about how FEMA reimbursements are processed and why the town moved funds into its 2026 highway fund.
The resident raised typical audit concerns, asking whether FEMA must be notified or whether federal money can be repurposed. The Chair responded that FEMA reimburses after the town submits documentation and verified work: "Once they have ... they verify our workbook was completed, and then we take and submit." The Chair said funds from the 2023 flood were handled and would be placed in the 2026 highway fund under established procedures.
Audience members urged caution, noting that federal reimbursements are intended for specific projects and that improper use can prompt later audits or recoupment. The board said it maintains records and had considered the accounting before moving the funds.
Board members and residents did not provide a dollar figure for the FEMA reimbursements during the discussion. The Chair said the town retains the backup documentation that supports the reimbursement requests. The board did not take a final, separate vote on altering the funding rules during the segment but affirmed that the town will follow required procedures when applying reimbursements and accounting for them in the highway fund.
