State Grants To Aid Tornado Recovery

Communities that sustained extensive damage when tornadoes struck western Massachusetts last year are getting more than  $1 million to help with rebuilding.  WAMC”s Paul Tuthill reports

   State officials announced Wednesday that Brimfield is getting $500,000 that will be used for drainage improvements and road reconstruction.   Sturbridge is receiving just over $286,000 to purchase equipment and remove stumps and debris from roads and trails.  Earlier in the week West Springfield was awarded $142,000 to repair sidewalks  and curbs, replace street signs and demolish an abandoned building. Wilbraham was given $286,000 to remove fallen trees, dangerous hanging limbs and other debris from 350 acres of public land.  The grants are from the $4 million in funding Gov Patrick announced on the one year anniversary of the June 1, 2011 tornadoes.