Fairfax To Offer Brush Clearance Grants

FAIRFAX, CA — The town of Fairfax early next month will launch a grant program for brush clearance removal, officials said.

The town will offer grants of up to $1,000 to assist seniors and lower income residents with vegetation management costs.

The Marin Wildfire Prevention Authority (MWPA), which is conducting “Chipper Day” events for all Fairfax neighborhoods through September, is also developing a grant program to assist senior and lower income households with brush clearance on their properties.

But because the MWPA program is not yet available, the town formed an ad-hoc committee to work with staff to develop the Fairfax program.

Vice Mayor Stephanie Hellman and Councilmember Renee Goddard, who discussed the creation of a local program at the council’s budget workshop last month, were assigned to the ad-hoc committee, town officials said.

The self-certifying program will offer eligible residents grant-funded reimbursements. Residents will be required to submit receipts and/or photos verifying completed work, town officials said.

The grants will only be available for brush clearing and tree trimming, not for home hardening, town officials said.

Town officials advised residents to "stay tuned" for more information about the application process and other details about the program.