BETHEL – Officials from Bethel, Gilead and Newry inched closer toward flood damage reimbursement during a meeting late Thursday morning with a state official at the Bethel town office.

The day after President Bush approved federal assistance for damage done by last month’s severe thunderstorm that struck Oxford County and destroyed Bethel’s public water system, Ron Looman walked officials through required paperwork to apply for federal funds. Looman is a senior contract grant specialist with the Maine Emergency Management Agency.

“The system has reacted. Now, it’s time to do what you have to do,” Bethel Town Manager Scott Cole said after the meeting.

“We’ve been waiting for this day for a couple of weeks,” Bethel Water District Superintendent Lucien Roberge said. “I’m a little encouraged, but with the past experience with the beginning of this mess, the proof’s in the pudding. We’ll see if they follow through with what they say.”

Although Looman wouldn’t specify the amount of available disaster money, the ratio is 75 percent federal, 15 percent state and 10 percent town.

A report Wednesday from U.S. Sens. Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins placed the federal share at about $1.37 million.

On July 25, Gov. John Baldacci and the state’s congressional delegation had asked for $1.8 million in federal help.

Oxford County Emergency Management Agency Director Scott Parker said he thinks the total amount will be about $2.2 million.

“I think we’ll get the money we need,” Parker said.

After Looman told all 18 present that the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Public Assistance Program money would restore community infrastructure to predisaster conditions, water district treasurer Mike Broderick said the water system is beyond restoration.

Torrential rains high in Chapman Brook’s valley on the night of July 11 and early morning of July 12, sent an avalanche of debris, sediment and water through the watershed and buried the district’s reservoir.

The fact that the district must design and build a new groundwater supply system is what drew the disaster declaration. Without it, Looman said the county would have fallen short of meeting the $1.55 million threshold for federal assistance.

Small projects – those under $59,700 – like Gilead’s, will get money at once, but larger projects will only get 67 percent upfront, Looman said. That ensures that towns don’t have to take out a loan, Parker added.

Roberge and district consulting engineer Al Hodsdon thanked Peter J. Rogers and Diane Jackson, representatives for Collins and Snowe, respectively.

“I greatly appreciate their intervention. I don’t think (federal aid) would have happened as fast as it did. They’re some great ladies,” Roberge said of the senators.

“Their participation definitely made a difference,” Hodsdon said.

They also thanked Congressman Mike Michaud’s representative, Andrea Quaid, who came with Rogers and Jackson.

Jackson also credited Parker and the district.

“Scott Parker has done a phenomenal job to keep everyone involved, but, what’s amazing is that (the water district) has not had a stoppage in water to the town, especially during tourist season,” Jackson said. “The water district has really gone above and beyond to make sure they have a supply. Plus, private contractors have stepped up to help.”

However, none of the federal aid will help five North Road-area families repair more than an estimated $110,000 in flood damage incurred on their properties.

“This isn’t individual assistance. It’s unfortunate, but FEMA is not here to take care of yours or my personal problems,” Parker said.

Rogers said Collins is aware of the situations and has staff looking at assistance possibilities.