MONTPELIER, Vt. (WCAX) – Eight months after last summer’s devastating floods, cash-strapped communities say they need support to make them more resilient to future catastrophes, but some worry that support is sputtering at the Statehouse.
Ed Haggett has lived in his State Street home for the last 47 years. On July 11, his home was inundated as the Winooski River jumped its banks, tearing through much of downtown Montpelier.
When Haggett returned home the next day, he discovered the basement to the first floor took on five feet of water. He has flood insurance but says that only scratched the surface in helping and that he did not receive any help from FEMA. Hagget says he is retired and on a fixed income. “I planned a plan to pay off my mortgage and retire here. That’s all gone. My life as I knew it is gone,” he said.
He’s still deciding his next move and whether he should pursue a buyout or try to lift up his home. Local officials in Montpelier and Barre are hoping state lawmakers can help, saying many are living in gutted homes, battling mold, and struggling with basic living. “We have folks living in dangerous situations that can not wait that long,” said Montpelier City Manager Bill Fraser.
The two communities want $3.5 million to lift up 20 homes above the floodplain, contending that it’s cheaper than building a new home and will keep people in the community. “For Barre, we don’t have much of a choice but to build safely in the floodplain because we don’t have a lot of space to grow,” said Barre City Manager Nicholas Storellicastro.
It’s still unknown whether state budget writers will find room for both communities’ big ask. Flood recovery was expected to take center stage this session, but some — including Haggett — worry it’s been eclipsed by property taxes and other issues.
Former Barre Rep. Tess Taylor, who now works for the city as liaison for homelessness and housing, says they can’t wait for the feds. “We have people who are just starting to figure out how they are going to do anything about their homes,” she said.
This Friday is a key deadline at the Statehouse where proposals requiring an appropriation need to be voted out and supporters are hoping it can get across the finish line by then.
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