By Jen Samuel, Managing Editor
HIGHTSTOWN — Last week the Federal Emergency Management Agency delivered the borough approximately $190,000 in aid stemming from Hurricane Irene, which flooded the downtown in August.
The money, which is the largest amount that the agency has sent the borough to date per Hurricane Irene, is not slated for Borough Hall, which has remained closed since the storm.
"A large portion of the reimbursement money was for the rent to Lucas (Electric Company) for our (Police Department) and the set up of the communication systems there,” Business Administrator Michael Theokas said of the new FEMA funds on Wednesday. “Some of the other money was for expenses for the fire house and losses to police equipment.
It was unclear as of press time how much money would be allocated to the Hightstown Fire Engine No. 1, the local fire department of which its facility also suffered major flood damages from Irene. However, unlike Borough Hall, the fire house reopened soon after the floodwaters receded.
As for the future of the Borough Hall, Hightstown is still waiting to find out how much its Joint Insurance Fund will cover toward rebuilding, restoring or relocating it from its old, vacant Main Street location adjacent to the former police station, which is also vacant. Various insurance providers are contracted through JIF, including Liberty Insurance, which is involved working with Hightstown on its claims for Borough Hall.
”There are a few excess providers and actuaries involved, too,” Mr. Theokas said.
Once the insurance money for Borough Hall repairs come in, FEMA is expected to reimbursement Hightstown 75 percent of the remaining balance.
Of the new funds from FEMA, Mr. Theokas said, “This is a good sign that the process is moving forward and we continue to work diligently to complete this project.”
Hightstown Mayor Steven Kirson said of the FEMA funds, “It’s basically for the emergency period after the storm. We’re starting to get some of the money in from those costs of putting the borough back together during that emergency period.”
He noted the borough has received from JIF more than $600,000 to date.
That money was allocated to cover the costs of restoring the wastewater treatment and water plants in town, which were significantly flooded during the storm.
The mayor said previously FEMA has sent $50,000 for the initial clean up costs caused by the storm.
”This is the first (check for) the loss that was incurred,” he said of the $190,000 from FEMA.
Hurricane Irene hit Hightstown less than a year into Mayor Kirson’s first year in office.
”I have two-and-a-half years left on my term and I plan on fulfilling them,” Mayor Kirson said.
And this week, action was taken to recover municipal and police documents damaged from the storm’s floodwaters.
”A company has been hired to come in and pick up all of the records that were damaged,” Mayor Kirson said.
Hightstown hired Belfour, a state approved company to handle and treat confidential documents.
”Some records that were not damaged were taken out right after the storm, but this was the first time the damaged documents were touched,” said Business Administrator Theokas.

