On the Town: Post-Sandy, Another Boost to Rebuilding

As another hurricane season enters its most active phase, Sandy-affected residents are rushing to rebuild.  And the work must be allowed every day – it’s the only way to fully recover.  That’s why Supervisor Kate Murray and I have taken action to permit Sandy-related construction on the weekends.

Before Sandy, the town code specified that structural work on buildings was permissible only on weekdays from 7 am to 6 pm, except in the case of urgent necessity.

However, repairing the enormous devastation Sandy left in its wake is an urgent necessity.  That’s why the entire town board has twice suspended the weekend building ban, allowing construction on Saturdays and Sundays between 10 am and 6 pm.

The first ruling took place on January 22, then again more recently on July 9.  Each code suspension lasts 180 days, with the second one ending up to and including October 27, 2013.

While late sleepers may be disturbed on weekends and televised afternoon sports events may be harder to hear, allowing Sandy-related repair work on Saturday and Sunday is the right thing to do to ensure that every last resident who wants to be back in their home can do so just as soon as possible.

The trauma that Hurricane Sandy left is all encompassing.  That’s why we all – even those who did not sustain a loss as a result of the storm – must share in the inconvenience of rebuilding our communities from tragedy.  As FEMA and other federal monies continue to trickle in, not to mention much sought insurance reimbursements, rebuilding will continue.