Politics & Government

UPDATE: Township Release on Irene Cleanup: Ridge Oak May Be Back Up Thurs. PM

Ridge Oak senior housing, police department and municipal offices reportedly using generators.

As of 1 p.m. on Wednesday, Bernards Township town hall and the police department are open using generators, municipal clerk Denise Szabo confirmed. Phone and computer services are limited in municipal offices. 

Szabo said JCP&L is not releasing estimated restoration times for the customers in Basking Ridge still without power for a fourth day, supposed down to 1,017 in Basking Ridge and 1,181 in Bernardsville as of 1:09 p.m.

Szabo and Bernards Township Health Department Director Lucy Forgione said at about 1 p.m. that Ridge Oak Senior Housing is one of the places still without power, despite township officials urging that the senior citizen complex be given priority for power restoration.

Find out what's happening in Basking Ridgewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

UPDATE: Mayor John Malay said at about 5 p.m. that JCP&L had informed him power might be returned to the 290 residents at Ridge Oak in the northern section of Basking Ridge by Thursday afternoon. He said that meals were being served in the main facility of the housing complex, and a police officer would be available at the complex from 7 p.m. to midnight for those without electricity who might encounter an emergency.

Forgione said she had returned from touring Ridge Oak shortly shortly after noon, and a generator was powering the main facility there. Bonnie Kelly, executive director at Ridge Oak, was going door to door to check on residents still without power, Forgione said.

Find out what's happening in Basking Ridgewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The following is taken from the township's official update on the follow to Hurricane Irene, issued at about 9 a.m. on Wednesday morning. 

"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 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

All 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.

UPDATE: at about 11:30 a.m. and township athletic fields were due to reopen at 3 p.m. on Wednesday.

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. 

  • ·        Lyons Road Between Goltra Drive and Mount Airy Road
  • ·        Madisonville Road between North Maple Avenue and Route 202
  • ·        Lord Stirling Road Between Village Drive and Riverside Drive
  • ·        Brook Avenue
  • ·        Decker Street
  • ·        Juniper Way near the cul-de-sac
  • UPDATE: Malay said at 5 p.m. that most township roads have reopened.


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