This page will be updated as new resources and information become available.
Resources & Information
Important Upcoming Webinars and Events:
New Flood Recovery Offers from Efficiency Vermont:
Thursday, September 20, 2023 at 6:00 PM
$36 million for new flood recovery programs is now available through Efficiency Vermont for homeowners, renters, rental property owners, and businesses affected by the summer foods. The offers can help replace critical home heating systems, hot water systems, and essential appliances that were damaged or destroyed in the floods. Join our webinar to learn how you can take advantage of these offers. Plus, new weatherization and financing options that can help you rebuild. Send your questions to webinarevt@efficiencyvermont.com, or ask live during the webinar.
Register here: https://www.efficiencyvermont.com/floodwebinar
The Business Emergency Grant Assistance application goes live August 3 at 12pm.
The Department of Economic Development has created the Business Emergency Gap Assistance Program (BEGAP). This $20 million grant program is for businesses and nonprofits that suffered physical damages from flooding dating back to July 7, 2023.
More information found at the Agency of Commerce and Community Development.
Applicant Briefing for Public Assistance:
Thursday, August 3, 2023 at 10:30 am- Kilburn Room in Manchester Town Hall at 40 Jeff Williams Way, Manchester, VT
This briefing is for towns that intend on applying for Public Assistance from FEMA. More information on this process can be found at FEMA Public Assistance (PA) FAQs | Vermont League of Cities and Towns (vlct.org)
If you still have further questions, reach out to ADM.2023FLOODS@VERMONT.GOV.
Business Emergency Gap Assistance Webinar:
The Department of Economic Development is hosting an informational webinar Wednesday, August 2 at 10:00 a.m. to go over Business Emergency Gap Assistance (BEGAP) eligibility requirements, walk through a sample application, and answer questions. Visit the event page for details on how to join the webinar. Following the webinar, a recording will be posted to the program page.
Visit the BEGAP Program Page for more information.
New Flood Recovery Offers from Efficiency Vermont:
Thursday, September 20, 2023 at 6:00 PM
$36 million for new flood recovery programs is now available through Efficiency Vermont for homeowners, renters, rental property owners, and businesses affected by the summer foods. The offers can help replace critical home heating systems, hot water systems, and essential appliances that were damaged or destroyed in the floods. Join our webinar to learn how you can take advantage of these offers. Plus, new weatherization and financing options that can help you rebuild. Send your questions to webinarevt@efficiencyvermont.com, or ask live during the webinar.
Register here: https://www.efficiencyvermont.com/floodwebinar
The Business Emergency Grant Assistance application goes live August 3 at 12pm.
The Department of Economic Development has created the Business Emergency Gap Assistance Program (BEGAP). This $20 million grant program is for businesses and nonprofits that suffered physical damages from flooding dating back to July 7, 2023.
More information found at the Agency of Commerce and Community Development.
Applicant Briefing for Public Assistance:
Thursday, August 3, 2023 at 10:30 am- Kilburn Room in Manchester Town Hall at 40 Jeff Williams Way, Manchester, VT
This briefing is for towns that intend on applying for Public Assistance from FEMA. More information on this process can be found at FEMA Public Assistance (PA) FAQs | Vermont League of Cities and Towns (vlct.org)
If you still have further questions, reach out to ADM.2023FLOODS@VERMONT.GOV.
Business Emergency Gap Assistance Webinar:
The Department of Economic Development is hosting an informational webinar Wednesday, August 2 at 10:00 a.m. to go over Business Emergency Gap Assistance (BEGAP) eligibility requirements, walk through a sample application, and answer questions. Visit the event page for details on how to join the webinar. Following the webinar, a recording will be posted to the program page.
Visit the BEGAP Program Page for more information.
FEMA R1 EHP (Environmental historic preservation) disaster activities
FEMA R1 EHP (Environmental historic preservation) FEMA staff has requested us to share the attached information with applicants regarding work in class II wetlands and buffer zones. Additionally, if any applicant is uncertain whether a repair qualifies for this exemption, a link to point of contacts is provided.
US COE Regulatory Flood Response in Vermont| VT DEC Emergency Action Guidance| FEMA Treatment of Root Balls
Thank you,
Kimberly Canarecci
Vermont State Public Assistance Officer
802-585-4209
FEMA R1 EHP (Environmental historic preservation) FEMA staff has requested us to share the attached information with applicants regarding work in class II wetlands and buffer zones. Additionally, if any applicant is uncertain whether a repair qualifies for this exemption, a link to point of contacts is provided.
US COE Regulatory Flood Response in Vermont| VT DEC Emergency Action Guidance| FEMA Treatment of Root Balls
Thank you,
Kimberly Canarecci
Vermont State Public Assistance Officer
802-585-4209
Reminder to towns: Contracts cannot be a time and materials contract unless they meet the federal requirements which include showing cost reasonableness (through proper procurement) and having a not to exceed clause.
Contracts should be a unit price that breaks down costs to show that they meet these federal requirements.
Q. Can non-state entities use time and materials (T&M) contracts in an exigency or emergency?
Yes, but only under certain circumstances. FEMA advises against the use of T&M contracts and generally limits the use of these contracts to a short time period where the scope or duration of the work is unclear. T&M contracts do not incentivize contractors to control costs or maximize labor efficiency. FEMA may reimburse costs incurred under a T&M contract only if all of the following apply:
Kimberly Canarecci
Vermont State Public Assistance Officer
Contracts should be a unit price that breaks down costs to show that they meet these federal requirements.
Q. Can non-state entities use time and materials (T&M) contracts in an exigency or emergency?
Yes, but only under certain circumstances. FEMA advises against the use of T&M contracts and generally limits the use of these contracts to a short time period where the scope or duration of the work is unclear. T&M contracts do not incentivize contractors to control costs or maximize labor efficiency. FEMA may reimburse costs incurred under a T&M contract only if all of the following apply:
- No other contract was suitable;
- The contract has a ceiling price that the contractor exceeds at its own risk; and
- The non-state entity can demonstrate it provided a high degree of oversight to obtain reasonable assurance that the contractor used efficient methods and effective cost controls.
Kimberly Canarecci
Vermont State Public Assistance Officer
Earth Extraction, Asphalt and Concrete Operators,
On July 13, 2023, the Governor issued Addendum 1 to Executive Order 03-23, which temporarily waives certain land use permit conditions and Act 250 permitting requirements to assure availability of material for the use of the State or municipalities, or contractors on behalf of the State or municipalities, to rebuild critical infrastructure impacted by the July 2023 severe storm.
If you are an owner of an earth material pit or quarry or asphalt or concrete plant utilizing the waiver under Addendum 1:
- Review the Emergency Instructions guidance document, and
- Fill out Documentation Form: Severe Storm 2023 and email it to the NRB here.
A Message from Executive Director Bill Colvin
I hope this message finds you all well and at least reasonably free of major damage to your properties.
I wanted to update you on BCRC's efforts in storm response thus far and what is to come.
First, thanks go out to our new Emergency Program Manager Dara Zink who has handled the many tasks that come with that role in these times with amazing competence and grace despite just over a month on the job at the BCRC. She has been very ably supported by Jim Henderson, whose experience and great contacts at all the towns have been invaluable, and Scott Grimm-Lyon who has stepped up to do whatever is necessary to assist.
We have been in regular communications with all or our towns to offer support and to get damage reports entered into our own spreadsheets as well as into the statewide database (WebEOC). These contacts will continue in the coming days.
Following that we will transition to assisting towns and businesses in any recovery efforts and in engaging with FEMA. We have already sent information to the towns regarding what to do, as well as not do, now in preparation for FEMA outreach and support.
While it appears our region may have been spared the worst of this storm, we know there are portions of our region with some significant impacts. BCRC is here and ready to assist all our towns and businesses as needed in the coming days, weeks and months, as recovery efforts take shape.
Please do not hesitate to reach out if you have any questions or if there is anything we can do to assist you or your towns.
I hope this message finds you all well and at least reasonably free of major damage to your properties.
I wanted to update you on BCRC's efforts in storm response thus far and what is to come.
First, thanks go out to our new Emergency Program Manager Dara Zink who has handled the many tasks that come with that role in these times with amazing competence and grace despite just over a month on the job at the BCRC. She has been very ably supported by Jim Henderson, whose experience and great contacts at all the towns have been invaluable, and Scott Grimm-Lyon who has stepped up to do whatever is necessary to assist.
We have been in regular communications with all or our towns to offer support and to get damage reports entered into our own spreadsheets as well as into the statewide database (WebEOC). These contacts will continue in the coming days.
Following that we will transition to assisting towns and businesses in any recovery efforts and in engaging with FEMA. We have already sent information to the towns regarding what to do, as well as not do, now in preparation for FEMA outreach and support.
While it appears our region may have been spared the worst of this storm, we know there are portions of our region with some significant impacts. BCRC is here and ready to assist all our towns and businesses as needed in the coming days, weeks and months, as recovery efforts take shape.
Please do not hesitate to reach out if you have any questions or if there is anything we can do to assist you or your towns.
BCRC Emergency Management Contacts
Dara Zink, Emergency Management Program Manager
dzink@bcrcvt.org
Jim Henderson
jhenderson@bcrcvt.org
Scott Grimm-Lyon
sgrimmlyon@bcrcvt.org
Dara Zink, Emergency Management Program Manager
dzink@bcrcvt.org
Jim Henderson
jhenderson@bcrcvt.org
Scott Grimm-Lyon
sgrimmlyon@bcrcvt.org