Monson likely to be stuck with bill for flood damage

MONSON, Mass. (WWLP) - There is more bad news about the flash flooding that damaged roadways in Monson over the weekend: the town’s taxpayers will likely be footing the bill all by themselves.

Town Administrator Gretchen Neggers told 22News that this flooding damage is so localized that the cost of the repairs will likely fall on the community’s taxpayers, since this would not be covered under MEMA or FEMA financial assistance.

Neggers said that she did not know how much this repair work will end up costing the town.

Monson Highway Superintendent John Morrell told 22News that 11 roads are now affected, and they continue to find new damage. All roads are passable, however.

Photos: Flash Flood Emergency in Monson

Neighbors said that it was a steady downpour for close to five hours.

"The water from my neighbors road in the back, came down like a waterfall over my stone wall in the backyard and it kept raining until almost 10 o'clock," Matthew Valley of Monson said.

"The water was from up here to all the way across the bridge, we tried to unplug it, but with all the mulch coming from around the corner, we couldn't do it," said Shirley Boyer.

Neggers told 22News that the emergency conditions have been lifted, but the official State of Emergency will stay in place, likely until Wednesday, so the workers can get the repair work complete.