Morris Township officials voice frustration with JCP&L communication after Sandy

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Electricity will be restored to Morris Township homes.

Just don’t ask which ones, or when.

WANTED: TREE REMOVAL COMPANIES! Morristown Mayor Tim Dougherty said tree removal companies are needed in town. Hurricane Sandy uprooted this massive tree at South Street and Woodland Avenue. Photo by Beth Kujan
Hurricane Sandy uprooted this massive tree at South Street and Woodland Avenue. Photo by Beth Kujan

In a letter to residents on Wednesday, Morris Township officials knocked Jersey Central Power & Light for a “lack of communication and information with regard to estimated time of restoration for neighborhoods/streets” since Hurricane Sandy on Oct. 29.

The utility is “unwilling to provide to us or any municipality at this time, the street level detail,” according to the township committee.

As of Nov. 7, some 5200 of the approximately 7800 power outages in the township had been restored. Here is the full update from the committee:

HURRICANE  SANDY UPDATE NOVEMBER 7, 2012

Dear Friends,

The following provides various updates as of today, November 7, 2012.

POWER RESTORATION UPDATE

We share in your frustration with JCP&L’s lack of communication and information with regard to estimated time of restoration for neighborhoods/streets.  We began demanding a comprehensive restoration plan from JCP&L once the storm subsided. To date we only have projected restorations by municipality for each day. We have been communicating with Mr. Lynch, President of JCP&L each day via conference call.  We are working with governmental officials at all levels including Congressman Frelinghuysen, Governor Christie, Senator Bucco, Assemblyman Carroll and Assemblyman Bucco to address JCP&L’s restoration efforts.

The difficulty is that we do not have street by street or neighborhood restoration dates from JCP&L. All municipalities are having the same concern of getting reliable information on estimated restoration times for streets and neighborhoods. JCP&L is unwilling to provide to us or any municipality at this time, the street level detail.

To date we have seen approximately 5200 of the approximately 7800 power outages restored.  We will continue working diligently to push JCP&L from all levels of government to get restorations made, as quickly as possible. If we get street by street restoration dates we will disseminate the information, immediately.

FEMA

Individuals in all New Jersey counties are now eligible for federal disaster relief. New Jersey residents and small businesses in all 21 counties are now eligible for Individual Assistance through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and U.S. Small Business Administration.

Register by phone at 800-621-FEMA (3362) or TTY 800-462-7585 for those with hearing or speech impairments. Specialists are standing by at the toll-free numbers seven days a week, 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. local time, until further notice. Help in languages other than English is available. Or you can register online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov.You can also apply through a web-enabled mobile device or smartphone by visiting https://m.fema.gov/ and following the link to “apply online for federal assistance.”

SHELTER

It has been a few cold days and nights.  Please consider the warmth of the Mennen Arena. It’s a pet friendly shelter.

For those who do not need shelter but want a hot shower and / or a hot meal please go to Mennen Arena.

Morris Township Town Hall will be open 8am-8pm each day through out the power restoration process for warmth, water, and charging stations.  All 5 firehouses in Morris Township are open for warmth and charging stations from 8am to 5pm 7 days a week.

Water and Ice are available free of charge at the Morris County Public Safety Academy on West Hanover Avenue and at the Township Municipal Building.

GAS DISTRIBUTION

Our police officers are working hard to maintain order at gas stations. Please be patient.
By order of the Governor, we are maintaining even/odd days at our gas stations.  It is the last DIGIT on your license plate NOT letters.  Vanity plates are considered odd days.

SAFETY

If you have a generator, please make sure that you have it away from your home.  It is recommended 20 feet.  The Carbon Monoxide (CO) fumes can enter your home and be very dangerous.  Keep a CO detector in working order to ensure your safety.

COMMUNITY

Buses to New York City (34th and 8th) leave from the Borough of Madison Lot No. 3 behind the Police/Fire building at 7 AM.  Return trip from New York City at 6 PM.  Cost $20 for the round trip.

Yours truly,

Morris Township Committee

Mayor Peter V. Mancuso
Deputy Mayor Bruce D. Sisler
Committeeman Daniel W. Caffrey
Committeeman Jeffrey Grayzel
Committeeman H. Scott Rosenbush

1 COMMENT

  1. If the utility company is unwilling to provide information to its customers, It is time we find a new supplier. In the real world payment would be withheld and a several new suppliers would be offered the opportunity to due business with us. I hope town officials are working on these plans as we speak.

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