Town of Vestal Information

Questions, Concerns, Information:
Town Hall
607-748-1514

Disaster Assistance Center
8/7 Volunteer Run Center Opening
Former Star Dry Cleaners on Vestal Parkway west of Rte 26 overpass. M, W, F Open 12-2, Sat 10-12. Donations can be taken on Mondays 10-12.
607-754-2445 for information or to volunteer.

Per Press and Bulletin - FEMA Closing as of 8/4
8/6 - FEMA will remain at Susquehanna Valley High School
Walton High, Sidney Civic Center

FEMA Information
8/4 - Senior Assistance.
FEMA is contacting Seniors who were victims of the flood to assist in referring correct agencies and to assist with other issues.
8/4 - Appealing Denial Letters
FEMA states denial letters were sent due to:
Needing Return Insurance Information
Needs Confirmation of residency or occupancy
More paperwork needed
Need to fill out SBA loan application.
You have up to 12 months from the day you registered to submit insurance information.
You have 60 days to appeal IN WRITING from the day you received the denial letter.
FEMA Helpline - 1800-621-FEMA 8-8 daily
NYS Helpline - 1888-329-7540 8-8 M-F; 8-5 S/S
7/21 - FEMA Trailers have been approved in Broome County - you will be contacted within 7-10 business days to determine if the trailer can be on your property. If not, rental assistance will be given. 7/27 - Trailers will only be allowed for 4 months - not rated to withstand winters.

Mental Health Assistance
Catholic Charities - 607-729-9166 call to schedule appointment at following locations:
Mental Health Assistance of Southern Tier
153 Court Street Binghamton
Catholic Charities
232 Main Street Binghamton
St Mary's
975 Rte 11 Kirkwood
Samaritan Counseling Center
202 E Main St Endicott

Community Meals
I'm not finding any community meals within Vestal's district. If you know of any, please contact me.
For the full list:
http://binghamtonfloodrelief.blogspot.com/2006/07/community-meals-available.html

Community Food Pantries
7/21 The US Post Office will be holding a statewide food drive to stock 50 food pantries in Broome, Delaware and Tioga Counties on 7/25. Thank them!

Our Lady of Sorrows 748-8287
157 Clark Street
Call in Advance
Memorial Park Baptist Church 785-3757
1013 Front Street
Call in Advance - leave msg if necessary
Caring Closet 607-797-0029
Vestal Hills Seventh Day Adventist Church
834 Bunn Hill Rd
After 5PM Mon-Fri

For the full list:
http://binghamtonfloodrelief.blogspot.com/2006/07/independent-food-pantries.html

Useful Information For Citizens
8/4 Immediate Gap Financing
http://www.fhlbny.com/
$250 Million for Disaster Relief Committed By the FHLBNY
July 12, 2006 New York, New York – The Federal Home Loan Bank of New York today announced a commitment to provide immediate gap financing to begin the process of rebuilding while insurance settlements are being worked out. Up to $250 million in disaster relief funds is being made available through its Community Lending Programs (CLP). Local member lenders can tap these low cost loans to meet the short, medium, and long term funding needs of communities designated as FEMA disaster areas. Several designated communities in Upstate New York and Western New Jersey have been hard hit by recent severe flooding. The $250 million CLP commitment can specifically be used for housing, small business and economic development lending.
The only banks I found in Broome County on their list of partners is Visions Credit Union located on McKinley Ave in Endicott and Partner's Trust in Binghamton.
Avoiding Heat Related Illness - Please Read!
http://katrinanetworking.blogspot.com/2006/04/avoiding-heat-related-illness.html
Recovering Vital Documents
http://www.firstgov.gov/Citizen/Topics/PublicSafety/Hurricane_Katrina_Recovery/Vital_Docs.shtml Cleaning
http://binghamtonfloodrelief.blogspot.com/2006/07/articles-regarding-cleaning.html
Coping With The Stress
http://binghamtonfloodrelief.blogspot.com/2006/07/coping-with-stress.html
Choosing a Contractor
http://www.pressconnects.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060706/NEWS01/60706017
Please also see www.sthbra.com for information on choosing a contractor. (7/14)
Free Legal Advice For Flood Victims added 7/14
Broome County Bar Association
723-6331
7/21 - Protect Your Credit
http://binghamtonfloodrelief.blogspot.com/2006/07/protecting-your-credit-rating.html
The Broome County Public Library will not be charging for overdue, lost, or damaged library materials that occured as a result of the flooding. Anyone who has lost books, videos, DVDs, or other materials should call the library at 778-6401 or 778-6400, and let them know what happened.
The George F. Johnson Memorial (Endicott) is reserving one of its public access computer stations for patrons to file online applications for flood aid from FEMA. Interested persons may call the library at 757-5350 to reserve a time, or may stop by the library at 1001 Park St. in Endicott. Times are limited to one hour. Contact the library at the above number for more information. Library hours are Monday through Thursday, 9 AM till 9 PM and Friday 9 AM till 5 PM.
Residents can put flood-damaged refuse in Dumpsters placed in several locations:
Castle Gardens on Loretta Lane and North Road;
Front Street near Roberts Street and in the 200 block;
Ideal Terrace and Pearl Street.
Town highway crews also will pick up debris at the curb until everything is collected.
7/25 Housing
First Ward Action Council
607-772-2850
fwac-admin@stny.rr.com
8/3 - Grants Available Through First Ward Action Council
http://pressconnects.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060803/NEWS01/608030346/1006

Grant Information
http://www.labor.state.ny.us/grant_info.shtm
http://binghamtonfloodrelief.blogspot.com/2006/07/community-and-agency-grant.html
http://binghamtonfloodrelief.blogspot.com/2006/07/fema-aid.html

Farmers
Found in the Press and Sun Bulletin - www.HayExchange.com It covers the entire US and some of Canada - shows the price, if it will be delivered and what the hay is composed of before you even have to contact the folks. MANY resources for NY and PA to access at this time.

Small Business Resource
http://www.nylovessmallbiz.com/resources.asp
7/14 - grants are being issued for both large businesses and small or not-for-profits for cleanup and repair/replace.
800-STATE-NY
7/21 SCORE
Business Counseling - help you get assistance applications in before 9/1 deadline.
Greater Binghamton Chamber of Commerce - 607-772-8860
Tioga County Chamber of Commerce - 607-687-2020
IRS Payment Delay
http://www.pressconnects.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060711/BUSINESS/60711001
Business Flood Grant Information - must apply for the $5000 grant first and file this as addendum. Apply by 9/5/06. 50% upon approval - 50% upon proof of completion of work. Some Non-Profits can also apply. Go to NYS Disaster Assistance Center for more info or:www.empire.state.ny.us/pdf/flood_grant/application7-7-6b.pdf
7/28 Chamber Of Commerce
The Chamber has reached out to as many of our business members as possible via e-mail and by telephone to find out who was affected by the disaster and what kinds of assistance or supplies they need. We are also compiling a list of companies that can offer assistance or supplies. Lastly, we are endeavoring to call Chamber member businesses in the hardest hit areas of Broome County that have not had the chance to contact us with their status and/or needs. A full status report will be posted on the "Business Disaster Relief Info" page of our website. A list of disaster relief assistance available to businesses will be posted on the "Business Disaster Relief Info" page of our website.

Volunteering
Red Cross of Southern Tier
607-785-7207
First Call For Help
607-729-9100 or 1-800-227-5353
8-4
Hope Unites
You can register online at: www.hopeunites.org/FloodRelief.html

Donating
For Animals:
http://binghamtonfloodrelief.blogspot.com/2006/07/animal-disaster-relief.html
For Humans:
http://binghamtonfloodrelief.blogspot.com/2006/07/what-to-donate.html
Grace Lutheran Church - Corner of Hazel and Main.
Collecting and handing out cleaning supplies only.
Housing
Call First Ward Action Council
607-772-2850
fwac-admin@stny.rr.com