Power Back On At Town Hall, Police Department

Bernards Township town hall and the township police department both at 1 Collyer Lane in downtown Basking Ridge, have had power restored and are open with full capabilities, the township has officially reported.

As of 1:20 p.m., JCP&L was reporting that its number of customers without power in Basking Ridge had been whittled down to 929, from about 2,600 a few days ago. Customers without power also reportedly numbered 929 in Bernardsville, 2 in Liberty Corner, 483 in Bedminster Township, 30 in Gladstone and 152 in the Peapack section of Peapack-Gladstone.

JCP&L listed the number of customers without power at that time as 812 in Far Hills borough, just slightly below the day before, but Far Hills Police Chief Ken Hartman said that power actually had been restored to all but a few dozen homes in Far Hills at that time.

Hartman said drinking water for those who could not access their wells was available at the Far Hills municipal building at 6 Prospect Street in Far Hills. Bernardsville also is distributing fresh potable water, including at a location by the Bernardsville Borough pool.

In Bernards Township, the Coakley-Russo Memorial Golf Course and township athletic fields were reopened as of Wednesday, according to the township website.

indefinitely on Thursday due to power issues. The pool water would require testing for quality even after the power is restored, said Jennifer Gander, director of township Parks and Recreation.

The following is taken from a statement issued by Bernards Township shortly after 10 a.m. on Thursday:    

"The following shower facilities are available for residents without power; both members and non-members are welcome. Residents are asked to bring their own towels and toiletries.

• ·       Somerset Hills YMCA facilities at 665 Martinsville Road and 140 Mt. Airy Road in Basking Ridge - open during their regular hours

JCP&L customers without power are eligible for free ice and water.  The closest participating grocery store for our area residents is Kings Supermarket in Morristown.

The Pill Hill Recycling Center will operate on extended hours as follows:

Friday, September 2                        7:30 a.m. through 6:30 p.m.

Saturday, September 3                   7:30 a.m. through 6:30 p.m.

Sunday, September 4                      7:30 a.m. through 6:30 p.m.

Punch cards will not be required for this period of time with proof of residency (driver’s license or Bernards Township Punch card).  Residents may bring in unlimited brush for recycling. Commercial vehicles and vehicles larger than a pickup truck are not allowed.

Health Issues 

The Bernards Township Health Department has much information on their website, including alerts for Long Hill residents, food and water safety after the hurricane and dealing with indoor mold, as well as other issues relevant to the storm aftermath. Their website iswww.bernardshealth.org."

The health department's director, Lucy Forgione, on Wednesday said the department had received many phone calls and continues to answer questions about how to deal with flooding and when to get rid of previously frozen or leftover food.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has online guidelines for keeping foods safe during an emergency or during power outages, according to the health department.

Forgione urged residents to "err on the side of caution" when considering whether to eat food that has been unrefrigerated or left in a freezer without power for a couple of days.

Additional information from the township's announcement:

"Fire Safety

For information about fire-related hazards after a hurricane, consult the Bernards Township website, www.bernards.org, under Departments & Services: Fire Prevention.

Street Closures 

Street closures within the township are as follows. This list is subject to change at any time. PLEASE do not remove barricades and drive down blocked roads.The roads are closed due to dangerous downed power lines or impassable trees or water. 

Currently closed [as of this morning] are:

• ·       Lyons Road
• ·       Lord Stirling Road
• ·       Madisonville Road
• ·       Juniper at the cul-de-sac