Turner, county, state and federal officials assess damage from Dec. 18 storm

TURNER — Town officials met Wednesday with representatives from Androscoggin County Emergency Management, Maine Emergency Management and the Federal Emergency Management Agency to discuss damage from the Dec. 18 rainstorm, Town Manager Kurt Schaub said.

The town sustained just under $60,000 in damage, most of it from downed trees, flooded roads and downed power lines, he said. If certain county and statewide damage thresholds are met, the state will be considered for federal emergency funding to cover the cost of repairs.

The town is paying for repairs through its operating budgets.

Three teams of three firefighters cleared downed trees during the storm, including 37 sites on Dec. 18, Schaub said. The Highway Department was also out addressing road damage and flooding.

Damage occurred all over town, according to Schaub. Town staff are still clearing piles of brush from roadsides, which will be burned at the town’s gravel pit.

During Tuesday’s board meeting, selectmen did not discuss the damage at length, according to Schaub. They were also considering the proposed Androscoggin County Hazard Mitigation Plan but did not recommend any additions.

The Mitigation Plan identifies areas in towns that are vulnerable to damage during major storms and it allows municipalities to apply for federal and state mitigation funds for projects relating to those areas in need, according to Schaub. Turner sites identified in the drafted Mitigation Plan include School House Hill Road flooding and elevation, Nezinscot River Dam and additional dry hydrants.

The Nezinscot Dam is more than 100 years old but has held up well, Schaub said. There have been repairs to it over the years but no major undertakings. It has not had an underwater inspection for about 20 years.