Federal officials have rejected a southern Vermont town's request for a reimbursement of millions of dollars spent repairing damages caused by Tropical Storm Irene.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency will not accept Bennington's bid to be compensated for the $3.9 million spent repairing damage caused to the Roaring Branch of the Walloomsac River during the storm in August 2011.
Governor Peter Shumlin's office says this was the second appeal made by the town, and the last allowed under federal law. FEMA agreed in May 2013 to pay $1.55 million, and then agreed on an additional $800,000 in August 2014.
Town Manager Stuart Hurd says the town will have to finance the $1.34 million shortfall.
FEMA's New England office was unavailable to comment.
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