![State to provide financial assistance for pumping flooded Jobs Pond in Portland – NBC Connecticut State to provide financial assistance for pumping flooded Jobs Pond in Portland – NBC Connecticut](https://i0.wp.com/media.nbcconnecticut.com/2024/04/JOBS-POND-IN-PORTLAND-FLOODING-USE-THIS-ONE.jpg?quality=85&strip=all&resize=1200%2C675&w=1200&resize=1200,0&ssl=1)
The state Bond Commission is expected to approve $187,500 on Friday to help alleviate flooding at Jobs Pond in Portland.
The funding, combined with $562,500, will allow Portland to install pumps to remove some of the water from a pond that has been flooding the basements of surrounding homes.
“Unfortunately, this is the highest it’s ever been, so yes, a solution would be wonderful,” said owner Ellen Mantel.
KeynoteUSA Connecticut first reported on the issue in March. Mantel said Wednesday that the pond has receded in recent days, but several homes remain flooded.
“The amount of money that has been invested in trying to keep these homes up and running and just in renovations is just overwhelming,” he said.
The emergency federal grant required a state or local match, so the funding would help unlock federal aid.
“This is a very unique and complex situation because, although rainfall in the region is above normal for this time of year, water levels in the pond have continued to rise even on days when we have not received rainfall , and it is still unclear exactly what is causing it and why it has been different than any other event the pond has experienced in recent decades,” Gov. Ned Lamont said in a statement.
Lamont also serves as chairman of the Bond Commission.
The commission’s agenda includes $520 million in bonds, including $10 for the University of Connecticut to create dormitories on Pratt Street in Hartford.
The commission is also expected to authorize nearly $120 million for various housing initiatives.
Portland First Selectman Ryan Curley said the funding will allow Portland to pump water from the pond to the Connecticut River.
That would provide temporary relief while local, state and federal officials work on a long-term solution. Jobs Pond has been prone to flooding for the past 40 years, but homeowners say they never remember it being this bad.
“Right now, obviously the immediate concern is the current flooding, but once that’s over we’ll look at that solution,” Curley said.
The city has other obstacles besides funding. You also need permit approvals for your plan and need to obtain easements from Eversource and other landowners.
Curley also said the project must begin by July 3 or the city could lose the emergency grant. However, he is confident that will happen.
Curley said eight homes are currently uninhabitable and it could take a month or two for pumps to lower water levels enough for those homeowners.
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