Mud Money
State Agrees To Buy Flooded Homes
Photo: Pumping out flooded basements after the March 11 storm. Photo and Story by Jane Anderson
ALBANY – The Assembly, Senate and Governor Andrew Cuomo have agreed to use $4.5 million to buy properties in Wawarsing that have been plagued by flooding from the leaky Delaware Aqueduct.
The agreement came through legislation introduced by Assemblyman Kevin Cahill and Sen. John Bonacic. It has yet to be signed into law.
The news couldn't come any sweeter for Laura Smith and Julianne Lennon, two homeowners in the Smith Lane area who are still pumping out from the March 11 storm.
"We're seeing some light at the end of the tunnel, no pun intended," Smith quipped. "This is a lifesaver for this community."
Town Supervisor Leonard Distel agreed.
"I think it's excellent for the people of Wawarsing," he said. "They've been suffering too long with this. Now I want the DEP (New York City Department of Environmental Protection) to match the $4.5 million."
Homeowner Julianne Lennon also said she wants matching funds from the DEP: "It's very important that they step up and do the right thing."
The DEP was noncommittal on the issue.
"We have previously supported efforts by the state to appropriate funds for residents of Ulster who are dealing with flooding issues," Michael Saucier, press secretary for the NYC DEP, said Tuesday. "We are hopeful that yesterday's agreement passes as soon as possible."
Lennon said she is grateful to the senator, assemblyman and also to Ulster County legislators such as Terry Bernardo, who supported the homeowners in their fight for the buyout.
"Senator Bonacic got on board and didn't look the other way, like some people have. We are very thankful for his diligence," she said.
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