PARIS – Representatives from approximately 25 Oxford County towns turned out Wednesday to hear from state and federal officials about money to repair the Patriot’s Day storm damage.

The Paris fire station was filled with road commissioners, selectmen, town managers and town clerks seeking assistance.

Scott Parker, emergency director for Oxford County, said $2.6 million has been designated for Oxford County for public assistance. A total of $262,000 has been applied for but not declared for individual assistance. Parker said real figures will come after the Federal Emergency Management Agency inspectors have completed their work. Two inspectors have been assigned to Oxford County. Towns have 30 days from April 25 to complete paperwork for the inspectors.

Before the official presentation by Maine Emergency Management Agency representative Ron Looman, Bill Johnson introduced Bryan Whitney from U.S. Sen. Snowe’s office and Sara Stevens from U.S. Rep. Mike Michaud’s office.

Looman went though the process of funding for disasters with a PowerPoint presentation. The information gave applicants a briefing on the proper process to follow when filling out forms. Looman stressed the type of work that is eligible and whether it was immediate emergency work or permanent work. A minimum requirement for damage is $1,000 per site.

Anything more than $59,700 is considered a large project. Final inspections are required on all large projects. Emergency work must be completed within six months and permanent work in 18 months.

JoAnn Mooney, also from MEMA, explained the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program for damages sustained from storms on sites where there has been repeated damages. Mooney will be conducting workshops to help local communities apply for grants.

John Welch from FEMA spoke on eligibility. He said the most important thing is to confirm eligibility.

“Do not change the scope of the work once your application is submitted,” he advised. “Don’t apply if damage is under $1,000, and all damage must have occurred in the Patriot’s Day storm.”

He also reminded applicants to have documentation on emergency work already completed and to keep the information for three years.

While this meeting dealt with public assistance grants, there is still the possibility that grants may be available for individuals having sustained damages in the storm. Those people should contact their town office or local emergency management director.

Among the towns represented were Sumner, Hartford, Buckfield, Fryeburg, Dixfield, Denmark, Canton, Sweden, Lovell, Paris, Bethel, Hiram, Woodstock, Otisfield, Norway, Greenwood, Waterford, Brownfield, Andover and Stoneham.