Sandy Closes Township, Schools County Facilities in Bernards

the township library and the area's parks and recreational facilities have already been declared closed in anticipation of Hurricane Sandy, even as the first brisk winds stirred the area on Sunday evening.

All township municipal offices are closed on Monday, except for the Department of Public Works and police department, said Township Administrator Bruce McArthur.

On Sunday afternoon, township schools were declared closed for Monday, even though the storm is anticipated to be a two-day event. School officials reportedly had been mulling the decision earlier on Sunday whether to close for the day before the notice later went up on the school website.

The Bernards Township Library announced late Sunday afternoon that the library will be closed on Monday, and all activities canceled, including day programs and the evening program, "Magic, Myths and Monsters with Steve Woyce." Information on rescheduling will be available at a later date.

The Somerset County Park Commission also announced on Sunday morning including golf courses and Lord Stirling Stable, now are scheduled to be closed on Monday and Tuesday.

The including the township recreation center, are closed Monday and Tuesday. The Coakley-Russo golf course is scheduled at this time to be closed through Wednesday.

Police strengthen warnings

Meanwhile, the township's Office Of Emergency Management Coordinator Mike Shimsky issued other cautions:

• JCP&L has advised that customers should be prepared to be without power for at least 7-10 days.

• Residents should be mindful of neighbors that may need assistance during this event.

• Citizens should not engage in clearing debris from public roadways as live power lines could be entangled.

• Consider removing political signs on your property as they could become dangerous projectiles.