North Caldwell Mayor: About Half of Borough Restored

The following message was released Sunday night by North Caldwell Mayor Joseph Alessi.

I am happy to say that as a result of the diligent work performed by PSE&G crews last evening at Grandview Place/Avenue the repairs were completed and a substantial portion of the Borough now has electricity (50% +/-).

For the most part power has been restored to portions of North Caldwell west of Mountain Avenue, with the exception of the triangle where Smull meets Mountain Avenue.

Sandy’s winds were so severe that large trees were uprooted causing power lines to fall on both sides of Smull Avenue. This caused extensive damage to the distribution lines and as a result a large “main line” has to be installed but only after transmission lines have been repaired, checked and designated as safe.

This all has to be coordinated with the switching station located only yards to the north of the area. I spoke to the crews today, they have been working on this area for several days from morning until nightfall. They are hopeful that their repair work can be completed in the next few days and that power will be restored to most and possibly virtually the entire Borough. Borough Hall will be open for business as usual from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. 

Conversely there are small pockets of homes without power in neighborhoods that have electricity. A PSE&G rep urged any of these customers to contact www.pseg.com. and then go to the section for Reporting Outages to “remind” the utility that they are still without power. He said customers may also do this by telephone but that would be futile because lines are jammed. By providing the additional notice these customers will have a better chance that they will not be lost in the mix. 

I also met today with a team of representatives from FEMA. We discussed the extent of the damages and the residence needs. I asked about how to apply for reimbursement for losses due to Sandy. They provided me with informational flyers describing the process. A copy of that information is attached hereto. This will enable you to obtain a FEMA claim number which will enable you to monitor your application. After speaking with the FEMA, I believe that, if you qualify, there are more reimbursements available other than food reimbursements. 

As you were informed today, by both the Board of Education’s from West Essex Senior High School and North Caldwell Grammar Schools will reopen on Monday, Nov. 5. 

West Essex Senior High School will be opening tomorrow, Monday, Nov. 5. and there will be a full week of classes. Due to the fact that the Teachers Convention has been cancelled the two vacation days for Thursday, Nov. 8 and Friday, Nov. 9, have been also canceled. 

Both Grandview and Gould Elementary Schools will be opening tomorrow, Nov. 5 and, as of now, there will be full days from Monday—Wednesday. The rest of the week’s schedule will be determined. There will be no Halloween Parties or Halloween Parade. 

As per the Governors directive Halloween will be celebrated tomorrow Monday, November 5, 2012. For safety purposes, Chief Deuer has stated that any Trick or Treating must be done on roads that have street lighting. Due to the dangers caused by walking in the streets without lighting there can be no exceptions to this policy. I am sure that everyone will agree that this safety measure is vital. Attached please find a copy of a map which highlights roads that we believe do not have street lights. This is merely a guide which may not be totally accurate or relied upon and must be utilize by parents only as an aid. 

I am glad to report Notre Dame Church has power so that there will be no problems voting there as usual on Tuesday November 6, 2012 6am to 8pm. You may of course vote by absentee ballot by going. go to The Essex County Clerk’s Office located in Room 247 of the Essex County Hall of Records, 465 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Newark, NJ. and obtain an absentee ballot and vote. This must be done by Monday November 5, 2012. The Office will be opened Monday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 pm. After that you must vote in your polling place. 

The warming station continues to be used by some residents and the firemen are present to assist anyone. 

I thank you again for all of your patience and cooperation. We have made a great amount of progress in the last day. Be rest assured that the council and borough employees, volunteers and I will be working diligently until all power is restored in our community and we can go back to normal.