Irene Costs Now at $1.5M

There are bigger storms on the minds of residents, but memorable Irene's tab will total roughly $1.5 million, according to village officials.

Between hundreds of hours in overtime for workers, debris removal, work on the damaged water pollution treatment center, as well as remediation at Village Hall and other assorted items, cleanup costs will check in at $700,000, said Village CFO Steve Sanzari Wednesday night.

The repair of the adds another $800,000 to the pot, Village Manager Ken Gabbert added.

The village is hopeful at least 60 percent of the cost is covered by , but it will not find out for many months, Gabbert said.

The village is moving forward with plans to redevelop the first level of Village Hall after it took several feet of water. The council scoffed at redoing the sheetrock, which Gabbert said would cost $131,000.

"Replacing sheetrock is out of the question," Mayor Keith Killion said. "If we keep going down the same road, we'll never get to the end." 

 was a permanent block tile replacement, five feet high, designed so water would not flow into the walls. He said it would withstand a 125-year flood. It was the recommended staff option, Gabbert said. 

That plan would cost an estimated $525,000, Councilwoman Bernadette Walsh told Patch after the meeting.

The village may also raise existing flood barrier between eight and twelve inches, as well as upgrade the pumps, which Gabbert said would cost $20,000.

No votes were taken Wednesday night. Village administrators will be reviewing specifications of the block tile for further council review.