Bernards Twp. Issues Update on After-Storm Situation

Editor's Note: The following public statement was issued by Bernards Township at about 9 a.m. on Tuesday. As of Tuesday morning, the number of reported JCP&L customers without power had dropped slightly to 2,138 in Basking Ridge and to 2 in Liberty Corner as of Monday night. Outages remained fairly steady in Bernardsville, reported at 1,293, and in Far Hills, at 801. Bedminster, where the number had dropped, was reported at 2,008 customers on Tuesday morning.

Released by Bernards Township Clerk Denise Szabo:

"Bernards Township town hall and the Police Department are open using generators.  Phone and computer services are limited.  

The Bernards Township Municipal Court will not be in session today. All cases will be rescheduled and notices mailed to defendants and attorneys. 

The Bernards Township Library is open. Township residents may charge cell phones, check email on the public-access computers or use their own computers for those who have WiFi access.   

The grace period for the third quarter 2011 taxes is extended through today. (Tuesday) No postmarks will be accepted.

Our Department of Public Works is working to remove downed trees and branches as quickly as possible. In some area, the trees are leaning into power lines and those cannot be touched until the power line issues are resolved by the utility company. 

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

Friday, Sept. 1 - 7:30 a.m. through 6:30 p.m.

Saturday, Sept. 2 - 7:30 a.m. through 6:30 p.m.

Sunday, Sept. 3 - 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. 

Pleasant Valley Pool, the Coakley-Russo Golf Course and the Township athletic fields are closed until further notice.

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.

The Basking Ridge and Liberty Corner Fire Departments cannot pump out flooded basements. Please contact a private contractor if you have water in your basement. Notify JCP&L at 1-888-LIGHTSS (1-888-544-4877) or 1-800-545-7738 if you lose electricity and your basement is flooded. Stay away from the breaker box if it is in a flooded basement and do not go into a flooded basement if energized wires are present. If water is rising to the height of a gas appliance, turn off the gas supply. To restore gas service to appliances, call PSE&G at 1-800-436-7734 to have the appliance checked for safety.  If you smell gas, contact PSE&G immediately.

If you are without power, contact JCP&L directly at -888-LIGHTSS (1-888-544-4877) or 1-800-545-7738. Please note they are not currently predicting restoration times.

Our water supplies have not been impacted but please reduce water use as much as possible while New Jersey American restores their operating plants that lost power due to the hurricane. Recovery to normal operations may take several days more."