Last updated on Tuesday, September 6, 9:00 AM.

If you are a business looking to report damage to your business or would like to speak to someone about additional resources available, please call 802-828-3211. The Vermont Agency of Commerce and Community Development (ACCD) has set up a system to document damage to businesses and properties (both for-profit and non-profit businesses, including multi-family housing providers and services) in order to assist FEMA in their collection of information. ACCD will also make referrals for financing and technical assistance.

The information needed when businesses make the call is:

• name of business,
• location (complete address),
• description of damage,
• point of contact, and 
• date damage occurred.

There are additional questions for historic properties.

Check out ACCD’s website for more resources for businesses.

Housing:

ACCD is also collecting information on mobile home parks and rental housing damaged by the storm. Owners, including housing agencies, should call the Agency at 802-828-3211 to report damages.

Farms:

To report damages to property, including but not limited to barns, milking parlors, crops, fields, equipment, etc., call:

Your county USDA Farm Service Agency (802-658-2803) or

Your county Natural Resources Conservation Service office.

You can also call the Vermont Farm Bureau (802-434-5646) or NOFA Vermont (802-434-4122).

These organizations will send a summary of the information to the Agency of Agriculture, which will forward it to Vermont Emergency Management. Farmers experiencing loss of crops due to flooding should also contact their crop insurance agent.

Emergency Flood Assistance Program for Businesses

This program, administered by the Vermont Economic Development Authority (VEDA), is up and running. It will provide $10 million of very low interest, no first year payment, loans to businesses which suffered losses due to flooding. Interested businesses should go to VEDA’s website for more information.

Tax Filing Extensions

Tax Commissioner Mary Peterson has approved an extension of time to file returns with a September 1 due date. The following documents will be accepted if they are received by the Department by September 30, 2011:

• Property Tax Adjustment Claim (HS-145 with HI-144);
• Homestead Declaration (HS-131); 
• Renter Rebate Claim (PR-141 with HI-144); and
• Current Use Application.

Property Tax Adjustment Claims processed in time for the September 15 transmission to towns will have the credit applied to the property tax bill. All other Property Tax Adjustment Claims received by September 30, 2011 will have the adjustment mailed directly to the homeowner.
 

State Permitting and Regulatory Requirements

Agencies and departments throughout state government have been taking steps to ensure that state permitting and regulatory requirements don’t unreasonably interfere with prompt recovery and reconstruction efforts in these extraordinary circumstances. Here are some examples:

Stream Alteration

ANR has four stream alteration experts in the field and a point person available by telephone. They are working directly with Vermonters whose projects implicate stream alteration regulations to help them ensure they are managing their projects in the best way possible. In those cases, ANR is not requiring advance permitting, but is working with individuals to get the job done quickly and properly.

For any advice on stream alterations or gravel removal please see the attached list of Stream alteration engineers and their contact numbers. In addition to the engineers, the Chief of the Rivers Program, Mike Kline, can be reached at 802-
793-7617 (cell).

Commercial Motor Vehicles Engaged In Emergency Relief Efforts

On Monday morning Commissioner Ide exercised his authority to declare a regional emergency in support of restoration of services following the storm. His declaration means that certain federal motor safety regulations (such as restrictions on hours of operation) shall not apply to a motor carrier or driver providing direct assistance in emergency relief during the regional emergency.

Gravel Extraction

Given the urgent need for gravel in connection with road and other reconstruction projects, on a case-by-case basis, provided the District Coordinator is contacted in advance, the Natural Resources Board is exercising its discretion to not enforce Act 250 requirements in connection with certain gravel extractions by responsible parties who comply with District Coordinator guidance in connection with that extraction. Here are the Act 250 District Commission contacts:
http://www.nrb.state.vt.us/lup/publications/nrb1.pdf.

Utility Reconstruction

Pursuant to his statutory authority, the Governor has already granted one waiver of the requirement of a Certificate of Public Good prior to commencing construction and site preparation for electric facilities. As necessary to ensure
rapid restoration of reliable power throughout the state, in appropriate cases the Governor stands ready to issue additional waivers.

Occupancy Permits

The Vermont Division of Fire Safety will give top priority to requests for occupancy permits by businesses forced to relocate due to destruction associated with Tropical Storm Irene. In the meantime, Division of Fire Safety personnel are
on the ground coordinating closely with Vermont Emergency Management to rapidly inspect damaged buildings, identify safety hazards, and keep the recovery process moving forward.

Electrical Permits

The Vermont Division of Fire Safety is waiving permitting fees for electrical and energizing permits associated with storm recovery efforts, and is expediting applications for such permits.