GOWANDA - The village of Gowanda finally has received money from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The village has received a total of $191,065 from FEMA.
Town Clerk Kathy Mohawk made the announcement at a recent board meeting. The message came from Treasurer Cindy Schilling who was absent at the meeting.
"(FEMA) paid us some but not what we anticipated," Mohawk said.
Article Photos
OBSERVER Photo by Samantha McDonnell
The Gowanda Village Board received a payment from FEMA for work done three years ago during a flood in 2009. Pictured is Trustee Paul Zimmerman (left) and Mayor Heather McKeever (right).
According to Mohawk, FEMA still owes money to the village. The total amount owed will not be known until final accounting by FEMA which has yet to occur. Out of the money received, $50,000 will be used to pay off the Bond Anticipation Note (BAN) for the village hall. The village will also pay $600,000 additional on the $2 million BAN.
Resident Janet Vogtli spoke during the public participation portion of the meeting. Vogtli was concerned regarding vandalism incidents within the village.
"Lately, quite a few things have been going on," she said.
The Gowanda Neighborhood Watch will be setting up a meeting with the New York State Police, Erie County Sheriff's Department, Gowanda Police Department to discuss recent vandalism incidents at a later date. Fo more information on the Gowanda Neighborhood Watch, search "Gowanda Neighborhood Watch" on Facebook.
Vogtli also inquired about the former print shop within the village. The village said the new owner promised to bring it up to code. Thus far, the owner has not fixed the building. To demolish the building, the village would have to front the cost which would be approximately $45,000.
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