NORWICH – Though spared the extreme flooding damages seen in some surrounding areas in the wake of Tropical Storm Lee five months ago, city officials applied for FEMA assistance for small projects throughout the city as a result of the storm and have now closed out those projects for financial reimbursements from FEMA.

City Emergency Management Officer A. Jones has regularly met with FEMA officials since heavy flooding and debris devastated much of the area. The city was fortunate in avoiding the worst of the storm, said Jones, but the city’s budget took a hit from overtime pay for city personnel including police and firefighters, in addition to the costs of electrical repairs to lights along Broad Street and the fuel costs of emergency vehicles used in the cleanup process.

The city will receive $31,000 in FEMA assistance. FEMA is providing 75 percent of the total costs accrued by the city, while New York State covers another 12.5 percent and the city picks up the remaining 12.5 percent.

“We have gone over everything that we put in for,” said Mayor Joseph Maiurano, “and through A. Jones’ efforts, we’re able to be reimbursed.”