Federal help for snow cleanup costs

WEST HAVEN, Conn. (WTNH)-- We were all glad to see crews plowing, getting rid of the snow, but will taxpayers end up up footing the whole bill?

"You know, they are. It's going to come back to us. It always does," said Larry Agostini, a West Haven resident.

Well maybe not all of it.

Cities and towns across Connecticut are counting on federal dollars to help pay for cleaning up after the blizzard.

When asked how much he thinks it'll cost the city, West Haven Mayor John Picard said, "we can ball park it with a tally. I don't think anyone really knows yet.  Anywhere from $20,000 to $50,000 a day."

Some folks haven't even dug out yet and the city of West Haven has a lot of bills to pay for snow removal, not only for its own public works crew, but private contractors called in, as well as bills for renting snow removal equipment

Connecticut communities were already looking for federal reimbursement of 75% of storm related expenses.

Town tallies will be included in an application for a major disaster declaration by the federal government, which could lead to more federal funds.

This, as shoreline towns still wait for federal dollars following Super Storm Sandy.

"We're going to keep submitting the paperwork, you know 75% reimbursement on a tab like this is definitely worth the time to put the paper work in," said Mayor Picard.

That paperwork could determine if the cleanup cost comes due in your tax bill.