You know it’s Armageddon when people flock to an ice rink for warmth.
But maybe all is not lost.
The Red Cross shelter at Mennen Arena is closing at noon on Friday, Nov. 9. Soon the rink will belong to hockey players and figure skaters again. That’s a good sign.
In the meantime, anyone still needing a warm place to sleep in the wake of Hurricane Sandy can use the gym at the Morris County Public Safety Academy at 500 West Hanover Ave. in Parsippany, according to the Morris Township Committee. Pets are welcome there. Free water and ice also are being distributed at the facility.
MRE’s (Meals Ready to Eat) from the Red Cross are available at the township municipal building on Woodland Avenue. At noon on Nov. 9, the Red Cross Mobile Feeding Unit will offer hot meals at the municipal building for residents without power.
As of Thursday evening, some 2,300 township residents remained without power from the Oct. 29 hurricane. Jersey Central Power & Light has told the committee that 1,800 of them should be back online Friday.
In a letter to residents, the committee continued to express “frustration with JCP&L’s lack of communication and information with regard to estimated time of restoration for neighborhoods/streets,” and said it’s pressing its concerns with federal and state legislators.
Some residents, meanwhile, will face additional hurdles getting powered up. Homeowners whose wires were pulled from their houses by the storm must apply for an electrical permit and hire a licensed contractor for an inspection. Additionally, they must call JCP&L for a special number for the permit. More details are available the township construction code office or at 973-656-2185.
Information on how to apply for federal disaster relief is below.
Free NJ Transit bus service from Convent Railroad Station begins on Nov. 9. Buses will take commuters to Statue Cruise Lines ferries at Liberty State Park; the free ferries will go to Battery Park in lower Manhattan. Buses will operate from 5:30 am to 9 am, and from 4 pm to 8 pm for the return trip.
Buses to New York City (34th and 8th) leave from Madison’s Lot No. 3, behind the Police/Fire building, at 6 -7 am, returning from New York at 6 pm. It’s $20 for a round trip.
Here is the full statement from the township.
FROM THE MORRIS TOWNSHIP COMMITTEE:
HURRICANE SANDY UPDATE
NOVEMBER 8, 2012
Dear Friends,
The following provides various updates as of today, Thursday, November 8, 2012.
POWER RESTORATION UPDATE
There were many electric crews in Morris Township today resulting in a number of area’s being worked on and several of them power restored.
Mayor Mancuso also spoke with JCP&L President Donald Lynch and BPU President Robert Hanna this morning and expressed our concerns with JCP&L’s restoration efforts. Mr. Lynch indicated that power will be restored to almost all of Morris Township by Saturday evening.
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, over a week ago. To date we only have projected restorations by municipality for each day. 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. We have been communicating with Mr. Lynch, President of JCP&L each day via conference call.
To date we have seen approximately 5500 of the approximately 7800 power outages restored. But this still leaves far too many of our residents without power. JCP&L indicates they expect to restore power to an additional 1800 Morris Township customers tomorrow. We will continue working diligently to push JCP&L from all levels of government to get restorations made, as quickly as possible. If we do get street by street restoration dates we will immediately disseminate the information, to our residents.
ELECTRICAL PERMITS
If your electric service was pulled from your home and damaged you will need to apply for an electrical permit and have it inspected. The permit will need to be filled out, signed and sealed by the licensed electrical contractor you hired. Also either you or your electrician need to call JCP&L (1-800-662-3115) and request a DR number. That DR number must be placed on the permit. Once the inspection is made and approved we will fax the information to JCP&L so they may connect your service line. Additional information can be obtained from the Construction Code office or by calling 973-656-2185.
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
As the recovery from the storm continues, the County Office of Emergency Management, in cooperation with the Red Cross and the Morris County Department of Human Services, is in the process of closing down the Mennen Arena as a primary shelter. Mennen will close as of tomorrow, Friday, November 9th at NOON.
The primary shelter will be at the Morris County Public Safety Academy on West Hanover Avenue. The animal shelter will also be moved to the Academy tomorrow as well.
Any residents currently at the Mennen shelter will be moved to the gymnasium at the Public Safety Training Academy. If possible bring your own sleeping bag or blankets.
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.
MRE’s (Meals Ready to Eat) were supplied by the Red Cross are available at the Township Municipal building.
On Friday November 9th the Red Cross Mobile Feeding Unit will offer hot meals at Township Hall at 12 noon. These meals are for residents without power.
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.
COMMUTING TO NYC
NJ Transit Bus Service from Convent Railroad Station will commence Friday November 9th. The bus service will take commuters to Statue Cruise Lines ferries at Liberty State Park. The ferry service will go to Battery Park at the tip of Manhattan. Both the bus service and the ferry service will be free. Buses will operate from 5:30 am to 9:00am for the morning rush, and from 4:00pm to 8:00pm for the return from Liberty State Park.
Buses to New York City (34th and 8th) leave from the Borough of Madison Lot No. 3 behind the Police/Fire building at 6 -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
