Montgomery Township Secures $1.1 Million FEMA Grant for Hurricane Ida Damage

By Nicholas Mistretta

Montgomery Township, NJ – At the March 6 Township Committee meeting, Township Engineer Mark Herrmann announced that the township will receive a $1.1 million grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to aid in recovery from damages sustained during Hurricane Ida.

Herrmann detailed the extensive damage to the Stage 2 Treatment Plant, which was inundated with approximately six feet of water during the hurricane. The plant’s planned flood wall had yet to be constructed resulting in significant destruction. Additionally, a giant filter used for wastewater treatment was dislodged and thrown through a building wall by the floodwaters.

After three years of dedicated efforts and collaboration with grant consultants, Montgomery Township has secured the $1.1 million FEMA grant to assist in the plant’s repair and restoration.

Mayor Neenah Singh expressed gratitude for Herrmann’s perseverance throughout the recovery process. “Your persistence paid off and we are very grateful. You are a shining light for all the other departments,” she said.

Herrmann, however, was quick to share the credit, acknowledging that the success was a collective effort. “The perseverance on my end was only a part of it,” he remarked. “Many others deserve recognition, including the Sewer Utility, Susan Scavone from Millennium Strategies, the Montgomery and State OEM offices, as well as our township’s insurance representatives.”

The $1.1 million grant will play a crucial role in restoring the Stage 2 Treatment Plant, ensuring the township’s wastewater infrastructure is resilient against future natural disasters.