FEMA Approves Town of Union Buyouts

12/5/2012 (Updated 6:58:26 PM)

The Town of Union received news Wednesday afternoon which residents and elected officials have been waiting for.

FEMA buy-outs of 176 flood-damaged properties. The properties are in Endicott, Endwell, Fairmont Park, Johnson City, West Corners and Westover.

FEMA will supply ten million dollars to provide 75 percent reimbursement for acquisition and demolition of homes and lots that were heavily damaged or destroyed in the floods of  2011.

"All of these sites are in areas where there is high visibility and we all need to move on. And hopefully with the 10.1 million dollar grant there are some areas that we will be able to fix the problems, why there was water, flooding in the area, and maybe there can be some regrowth," said Rose Sotak the Town of Union Supervisor.

Under the buy-outs, the structures on acquired  properties will be demolished, and the lots would be kept as open spaces, with future development prohibited.

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