Conklin hires law firm to process 2011 flood buyout paperwork at $2,250 per parcel

At its Dec. 27 meeting the Town Board unanimously authorized Coughlin & Gerhart, LLP to process paperwork for the 2011 Flood Buyout Program at a cost of $2,250 per parcel (Resolution 2011-211).

The resolution directs the firm to prepare and process documents related to flood buyouts initiated after the September 2011 event. The board recorded the motion and passed it unanimously, specifying a per-parcel processing fee to be paid from the town’s relevant account when invoices are presented. Town officials said the authorization is intended to speed the administrative work — appraisals, titles and closing documents — that accompanies federally subsidized buyouts.

Why it matters: Flood buyout programs can permanently remove repeatedly damaged buildings and return riparian parcels to open space; the town’s authorization assigns a single outside law firm to perform the preparation and filing work for buyouts, with a stated fee per parcel. The board also earlier discussed that FEMA would pay 75% of eligible costs for many mitigation activities, with state and other sources covering portions of remainder in some circumstances.