The Village of Monticello is among many on the waiting list to get funds from FEMA to repair damage left by Irene. As YNN's Venise Toussaint tells us, Senator Charles Schumer and village officials are now calling on the federal agency to step up to the plate and act swiftly in reimbursing funds.

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MONTICELLO, N.Y. -- Damage left by Tropical Storm Irene is still evident in the Village of Monticello. Busted pipes, debris and sinkholes throughout St. Johns Street are reminders of the extensive repair work that still needs to be done.

“We had a 12 foot in diameter pipe that you could walk through collapse because of the pressure from the water from Irene,” said Village Manager John LeGreci.

Friday, Senator Charles Schumer took a tour through the areas most damaged by the storm. Schumer has been instrumental in getting federal aid to Sullivan County. He’s now pushing FEMA to act swiftly in reimbursing Monticello.

“It’s a year after the storm and we’re still waiting and waitin., FEMA’s pledge to support rebuilding is useless without the money coming through, without reimbursement," Schumer said.

Village officials estimate the damage would cost $500,000 to repair and $70,000 from a state and federal HELP grant has already been shelled out to repair the most severe damage, but village officials are still banking on FEMA to help complete the job.

“If we don’t receive the money, the bottom line is it’s going to be a hit to the tax payer,” said Monticello Mayor Gordon Jenkins.

“Hopefully we can pay the HELP money back with the FEMA money so it wouldn’t be a hit to the budget,” LeGreci added.

Officials urging FEMA to reimburse the funds within the next few months.