Morristown-area children should do their trick-or-treating in the downtown business district from 3 to 5 pm today, Halloween, and skip going door-to-door, to avoid the danger of falling branches from the weekend snowstorm, said Morristown Mayor Tim Dougherty.
The Mayor asked residents to donate their wrapped candy to downtown businesses to distribute today. Councilwoman Rebecca Feldman will collect the candy until 2 pm in the town hall parking lot. Look for her red van.
In addition to the Morristown Partnership’s downtown trick-or-treating–look for the pumpkin face on participating shop windows–kids also can go to Morristown’s Macculloch Hall Historical Museum from 3 to 5 pm for candy.
Power has been restored to the business district. As of this morning, however, Jersey Central Power & Light still was reporting more than 9,000 customers without electricity in Greater Morristown.
The Mayor said he hopes that the whole town will be restored within 48 hours; JCP&L has said all of its customers statewide should be back online by Friday. He said the town’s emergency shelter will remain open for area residents who need a place to stay overnight, or just to warm up or recharge cell phones and laptops.
He said a handful of people stayed last night at the shelter, in the seniors center on the third floor of town hall.
Flanked by the police chief, police captains and the fire chief, the Mayor said he is confident the downtown is safe for trick or treaters.
But he reiterated that residents should use caution when they venture elsewhere in town because of the danger from falling branches or downed power lines.
He urged people to report any emergencies to 911, and to call him with any other special needs at 973-292-6629.
Acting Fire Chief Jimmy Schultz also cautioned residents to use extra care if they are using candles, gas stoves or gas generators during the power outage. At least one apartment fire was caused by a candle accident during the Hurricane Irene outages, he said.
Gas generators should be placed at least 15 feet outside the home, to avoid the possibility of carbon monoxide poisoning, the fire chief said. He added: “Treat every downed wire as if it were live.”
The Mayor also asked council members to coordinate their emergency eblasts with town hall. One message this morning erroneously reported that food would be distributed at the emergency shelter, he said. The Mayor emphasized that downtown restaurants and services remain open.
He also expressed irritation with the extent of the outages.
“Again, JCP&L misjudged the storm,” the Mayor said.
Town administrator Michael Rogers said the tree damage appeared to be worse than during Irene. He asked for residents’ patience as the town Department of Public Works clears away the downed trees. Any limbs that have fallen on power lines should be reported to JCP&L at 1-888-LIGHTS.
READ MORE ABOUT THE OCTOBER SNOWSTORM
I think it is a wonderful idea that Morristown has the Trick-or-Treating on the Green. It’s super safe and great for little kids that can’t walk far. I just wish the time was better for working parents. I get out at 5 🙁 So I will have to do somthing because my kid is DESPERATE to go trick or treating and a 3 year old does not understand postponings