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Resident reports home damage from fallen tree; town attorney directs work through insurer
Summary
A resident told the council a tree fell on her family property last March, delaying a sale and costing her money; Town Attorney John Paul Iceman advised that the proper remedy is to proceed through the town's insurer (EMC) rather than negotiating directly with the town.
A resident described to the Orleans Town Council that a tree fell on her grandparent’s property last March and caused damage that has delayed the sale of the house and added expenses. She said she notified a town representative named Robert soon after the incident and later provided photos and documentation to the insurer.
“The only thing you can do is work through our insurance,” said Town Attorney John Paul Iceman, who identified himself during the public exchange and advised the resident that once the insurer is involved the town is bound to let the carrier handle negotiations. The resident told council members the insurer’s representative, Joanna Dos Santos of EMC, made contact only recently and told her the insurer would decide what was covered.
The resident said she had emailed photos and other evidence to the insurer and that the delay in contact had compounded her costs. She noted the one-year timeline for raising the issue and said she wanted to make the council aware before the March anniversary. The council did not take formal action during the meeting; the attorney’s direction was to continue working with EMC.
