Peabody receives FEMA flood grants

PEABODY-The city is officially $360,000 closer to minimizing its flood woes with Mayor Michael Bonfanti?s recent announcement of two FEMA Flood Mitigation Assistance Grants.The grant money will fund three projects to tackle flooding of the Police Station, Proctor Brook, and the Main Fire Station.The Police Station will undergo two phases of improvements. The first phase includes the design and construction of a drainage pump system. It is currently under bid and will hopefully be operational by June of 2008.The second phase involves an emergency generator and associated electrical upgrades to ensure continuous use of the station. The cost for such improvements is about $300,000. FEMA will front $225,000.Project number two will cost significantly less – an estimated $60,000, $42,000 of which FEMA will handle. The project includes the purchase and installation of new storm water trash rack devices along Proctor Brook. The current racks restrict water flow, thus causing flooding. The city plans to install high hydraulic capacity grates to reduce the level of backwater by mid-2008.As for the third project regarding the Main Fire Station, plans are still in the making before FEMA gives its approval. The anticipated cost is $225,000 with construction slated to start in 2008.