On Monday morning, dump trucks filled to capacity with tree limbs and branches pulled into West Caldwell’s compost facility, where crews have been working from 7:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. seven days a week for two weeks now.

In that time, about 60 of the township’s 160 streets have been cleared after a historic October nor’easter downed trees, limbs and branches in unprecedented numbers. It could be several more weeks until the massive clean-up effort is completed, according to Department of Public Works Superintendent Vincent Graziosa.

Starting Monday, the township began using outside contractors to assist with the pick up. While the original plan was to work from east to west heading south, additional crews were working in the Knoll Terrace and Westview and Dalewood areas this week.

The trucks enter the facility behind the Taco Bell on Bloomfield Avenue and drivers dump their loads into a huge pile. Then the debris is scooped into a tub grinder that grinds and spits it out into another pile, from where it will eventually be carted away.

The exact amount of debris that has been collected is not known at this time, neither is the financial damage.

West Caldwell is sharing the cost of the tub grinder with neighboring North Caldwell and Roseland.

While the township has applied for assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Councilman Thomas O’Hern, Chair of the Public Works Committee, said it is still not known whether that assistance will come through.

Graziosa said DPW crews are working really well despite the long hours and tedious work. “They really know how bad it’s been, and what has to be done,” he said.

While leaf collection remains on schedule, all other regular DPW operations—such as sewer and catch basin maintenance and clearing properties—have been suspended.

The goal is to keep working 12-hour days, seven days a week until the job is done, with one exception—the guys are taking Thanksgiving off.

The following update regarding the storm clean-up was released Monday by the township of West Caldwell:

• The Township of West Caldwell is continuing storm debris pick up in town.  “Storm debris” includes branches and tree limbs that have fallen as a result of the storm that impacted our area October 29-30, 2011.

• The Township has not suspended leaf recycling and leaves should be bagged and left at curbside for regularly scheduled pickup.

• Do not pile leaves in the street or mix with the tree branches and limbs—they will not be picked up. Depositing loose leaves in the streets is illegal per Township Ordinance (17-5.1b. & 17-5.3) and violators will be cited.

• Do not mix trash and leaf bags with the branches and tree limbs—this slows the pickup process.

• In order to avoid impeding traffic or causing safety hazards, storm debris must be placed at the curb—not in the street.

• Storm debris must not block access to fire hydrants.

• We have hired additional contractors to assist with the cleanup and they have been assigned to begin on the south side of town.

• The Township compost site will remain open 7 days a week from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. except Thanksgiving Day.

• If you have a contractor perform work at your home, that contractor is responsible for removing any debris.

• The Township will pass by your street one time to pick up debris that is storm related. After that, the homeowner will be responsible for removal of any additional debris.  

• You may hire a contractor to remove the debris, you may bring the debris to the Township leaf compost site behind Taco Bell, or you may cut it into 4-foot sections and bundle it to be put out with your regular garbage pickup.

• The Township is asking that residents who can remove their own debris please do so. You may transport your storm debris to the Township’s Leaf Compost Facility on Bloomfield Avenue behind Taco Bell, free of charge. The Township compost site will remain open 7 days a week from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., except on Thanksgiving Day.

• Thank you for your patience, the Township is working as hard and fast as they can to complete this daunting clean up.