Important information regarding our rebuilding efforts will be posted here
as of February 15, 2012

possible FEMA/SEMO Property Acquisition/Buyout of homes affected by Tropical Storm Irene

Au Sable Forks, NY; 11 School Lane on Thursday February 16th at 7pm

Read the flyer (PDF link) about this meeting.

Project Hope Outreach in Clinton and Essex Counties

The New York State Office of Mental Health has received federal funding to initiate a time-limited crisis counseling program called Project Hope. This community-based outreach program is expected to run for about a year and is available free of charge to residents of Clinton and Essex Counties who were impacted by Tropical Storm Irene.

Read more with the Project Hope flyer online (PDF link.)

Dept of Transportation Announcement

Please be informed that the NY State Dept Of Transportation will be working in the following brook and river locations beginning this week (November 21, 2011). This is a Dept of Transportation project, not the Town of Keene.

Cascade Lake Outlet

East Branch Ausable River

Beede Brook

Johns Brook

Johns Brook Overflow

South Fork Boquet River

Putnam Brook

FEMA Extends New York Deadlines to Register for Disaster Assistance

ALBANY, N.Y. – At the request of New York state, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has extended the registration deadline for anyone who suffered damage from Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee this summer.

Those affected by either storm now have until Dec. 15 to register for federal disaster assistance.

“We've extended the registration deadline for people who – for whatever reason – have not had the opportunity to register for assistance, said FEMA Federal Coordinating Officer Philip E. Parr. “The goal is to ensure all eligible Irene and Lee survivors have the chance to seek assistance.???

To register, call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362. Phone lines are open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. ET, seven days a week until further notice. People with hearing disabilities can use the TTY number, 800-462-7585. Applicants can also register online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or with any web-enabled mobile device or smartphone at m.fema.gov. Follow the link to “apply online for federal assistance.???

Disaster assistance to individuals could include grants to help pay for temporary housing needs, essential home repairs and other serious disaster-related expenses not covered by insurance or other sources. Low-interest disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) are also available for homeowners, renters and business owners to repair or replace real or personal property.

FEMA's mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.

Keene Public Library still in progress

Keene Public Library is still closed, however, clean-up is underway. Serv-pro has done the commercial clean-up and we are now putting the floors back in. Watch here for re-open dates.

Need a flu shot?

Essex County Public Health will hold a flu shot clinic at our community center on Tuesday, November 15th from 2 – 4 pm.

Planting new grass? Hurry!

Hydroseeding will not be available again until the springtime. Please call Bill Ferebee @ 576-4444 if you still would like to be on the list for spring hydroseeding.

Request for Buyout

If you are interested in a possible buy out of your damaged property, please complete this form (PDF link). This is the first step of the buy out process should it be made available.

At this time it is not a guarantee it will be awarded. Please call Bill Ferebee with any questions ~ 576-4444.

To those still wishing to volunteer...

To those still wishing to volunteer for clean up in the Keene-Keene Valley area; there still is some work to do.

If you would like to shovel, rake, move flood debris or anything else that is needed, or if you are someone still in need of some blood, sweat and tears; please call Joe Pete Wilson at 518-708-3396 or email him at wilsonjoepete@gmail.com. He has volunteered to screen requests for help and for those who want to volunteer.

There is also a need for dry firewood for many whose winter supply was washed away. If you are able to help in this endeavor we will also pass this along.

New York State Disaster Assistance Handbook

(this is a PDF link) a resource for individuals, families, and small businesses

Copies available at the Town Hall and Mc Donough's Hardware

Essex County Links and Information

Check the announcements on the Essex County website about disaster relief

Assessor office moved to temporary quarters

As of Thursday, 9/15/11, Donna Bramer, Sole Assessor, will have her office set up in the community center Skating Rink Room on the lower level in the back of the building. At this time the only phone number for her will be the Comm Ctr phone number 576-9980. Please use this on Thursdays only, as to not disturb the Little Peaks preschool. Thank you for your patience. Messages can be left for Donna at the Town Hall if necessary

Transfer Station

Transfer Station will resume regular hours. Open 8:30 - 4:30 everyday except Tuesdays & Thursdays

Mold Information

NYS Department Of Health indoor air quality information about mold pamplets are available at the Town Hall

Read this link for more about flooding and mold risk.

Flood Insurance Issues

Flood victims: if you feel that your insurance company has given you wrong information in your time of need you can call the disaster hotline @ 800-339-1759

Postal Service

The U.S.P.S. Has approved McDonoughs Valley Hardware as the location for the cluster boxes in Keene Valley. Postal box customers will keep their P.O. Box # and 12943 zip code. Implementation will begin soon. Watch here for more information and updates.
 

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