North Caldwell Mayor: More Than 80% of Power Restored

The following message about Hurricane Sandy recovery was released by North Caldwell Mayor Joseph Alessi on Monday night: 

Over 80% of the power has been restored in North Caldwell. The schools are in session and all Municipal departments are opened for business as usual.

Unfortunately however there are pocket outages in certain sections of the town. I have contacted our local PSE&G Coordinator and provided him with a list of these locations. He is going to check on the status of the all repairs and expedite them as soon as possible.

The key areas that PSE&G are currently working on include Central Avenue (south of Notre Dame Church) and streets off of Mountain Avenue. The most recent reports indicate that power may be restored within the next 10 hours but this is not definite. C

urrently we are aware of outages in the following areas: Byron Road, Eaton Drive, Cambridge Road, High Point Road, Colony Drive , Aspen Drive, Willow brook Drive, Wildwood Drive, Glenview Road and Vale Road. Single outages have also been reported on Hamilton Drive East and Birchwood Drive. As stated yesterday it is extremely important that these residents should contact www.pseg.com and go to the section for reporting outages. 

Borough Hall is now open for business from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. 

COURT 
There will be no Court on Thursday, Nov. 8. Court will resume on Thursday, Nov. 15. Doors will open at 5:30 p.m. Court starts at 6 p.m. 

BUILDING DEPARTMENT 
Building Department is open for scheduling inspections. If you had inspections scheduled for last week. Please call to reschedule, you will be on a first priority. Please call Eileen at 973-228-6410 x106 or Len at 973-228-6410 x112. 

ELECTIONS 
Elections will be held as usual on Tuesday, Nov. 6, at Notre Dame Church, 359 Central Ave.., from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.

RECREATION 
All Recreation Department programs and activities will go back to regularly scheduled times and days. If you have any questions, please contact Jamie 973-228-6410 x 114 or Chris 973-228-6410 x116 

TAXES 
As a result of the Hurricane and in order to accommodate our residents the due date for taxes will be extended to Friday, Nov. 30.

DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS 
I cannot urge you strongly enough to assist the Borough and bring your branches and tree parts to the Municipal Pool parking lot for disposal. During Hurricane Irene last year we provided a complete courtesy pick up which cost the Borough in excess of $250,000.

Under FEMA we will be reimbursed for 75%, but to date we have not received anything. Therefore, I ask every resident who is able to load these branches, etc. on to an SUV and bring them to the parking lot. Alternatively you can have your landscaper deliver them; this should decrease the cost. This service is restricted to residents with a valid Proof of Residency or Contractors with a completed “Certification of Source of Debris” form. Forms are available at Police Headquarters on Gould Avenue or from the Borough website (www.northcaldwell.org). We do not want landscapers dumping debris here from other communities. 

If this is not possible however the Borough will provide a courtesy collection of branches resulting from Hurricane Sandy. Branches should be placed at the curb line not in the street. Please do not block sidewalks or fire hydrants. 

Each street will be provided with a single pickup. If you wish to have your branches collected after the DPW has collected from your street you may place them in accordance with Bulk Garbage Collection Schedule and Rules. Again please try to deliver your debris to the Municipal Pool parking lot as this will save the town a considerable amount of money. 

SCHOOLS 
The North Caldwell Board of Education has advised us that Grandview and Gould Schools will be having classes on Thursday, Nov. 8 and Friday, Nov. 9. 

Unfortunately we are expecting a Nor’easter on Wednesday, Nov. 7 through Thursday, Nov. 8. They are predicting 1 to 2 inches of rain, along with a slight chance of snow and wind gusts over 65 mph. To say the very least, this will complicate the situation. All departments are preparing and will be on standby. 

Again thank you for all your consideration and cooperation. I know your patience is wearing and that should be expected. I know that not everyone will be satisfied but we are doing everything that is humanly possible. Just keep the faith and keep our fingers crossed that this second storm will go easy on us.