Emergency Post-Sandy Stability & Recovery Information Bulletin

The Springfield Township Committee, municipal officials and volunteers are distributing the following bulletin throughout Springfield.  Information will posted on the Township website at http://www.springfield-nj.us and my personal website at http://411.shehady.us

The devastation and damage to Springfield’s critical infrastructure and personal property is extraordinary.  The Township of Springfield post-emergency stability and recovery efforts are underway and we have mobilized all available personnel to respond.  Please be aware of the following updates:

• JCP&L’s most recent update still predicts prolonged outages for at least seven days.  Power transmission lines, substations and generation stations need to be restored first before individual transformers and local infrastructure can be repaired.  Utility crews will work on large infrastructure located outside of Springfield before addressing local line issues.  Restoration is not based on populations but distribution mechanisms.  If you are able to shelter with family or friends who have electricity, it is recommended you do so.  Work locally will not be useful without that infrastructure so you may not see crews in your immediate neighborhood.
• Halloween activities have been cancelled – they will be rescheduled.
• Property tax payments due date has been extended from November 10th to November 20th.
• All public schools and municipal offices will be closed the rest of this week.
• Drinking water does not have to be boiled but residents are urged to please conserve water.
• Private garbage collection has resumed for November 1st and November 2nd.  Further collections will be announced.
• Over the next two or three days, DPW will focus on pulling trees off homes (over 100 trees are down).  The Township has hired outside contractors to assist in critical tree removal and other cleanup efforts. Volunteers are assisting with residential debris removal.
• Street side clean up and maintenance is on-going; it is a lower priority than tree removal.
• Police patrols are checking for looting, burglaries and vandalism – please report any suspicious activity to the Police Department by calling 973-376-0400.
• The Township has been in communication with federal, state, county and other surrounding towns to best coordinate resources and assets.  Mayor Ziad Andrew Shehady will continue to reach out to surrounding Mayors to coordinate recovery efforts.
• Individuals who are interested in volunteering to assist in recovery efforts, please call Geri Bujnowski (908-370-2318) or Deputy Mayor Jerry Fernandez (908-868-0898).

Please be understanding that as bad as Springfield has been impacted, other parts of the state are experiencing greater devastation and resources have been directed by the State Office of Emergency Management to those areas first.

The Township has established a Community Recharge and Warming Station at the Sarah Bailey Civic Center (30 Church Mall off Morris Avenue) but it is not an overnight shelter.  This is available for warmth, essentials (ice, hot water, etc.), snacks, charging stations (please help by bringing power strips).  Overnight shelters are available in Cranford (220 Walnut Street) and Summit (272 Morris Avenue).

The Office of Emergency Management and Mayor Ziad Andrew Shehady are available by calling 973-376-1082.

To assist you, the following is a list of locations that we know to be open:

GROCERY & PHARMACY

CVS

Summit – 29 Deforest Avenue

Union – 2287 Morris Avenue

A&P Grocery & Pharmacy

Kenilworth – 801 Kenilworth Boulevard

Pathmark

Garwood – 10 South Avenue

Seabra’s

Springfield – 215 Morris Avenue

King’s

Short Hills – 778 Morris Turnpike

Shop-Rite

Clark – 76 Central Avenue

Garwood – 501 North Avenue

Livingston – 483 South Avenue

FOOD

Dunkin Donuts

Garwood – 323 North Avenue

Clark – 76 Central Avenue

Target

Clark – 45 Central Ave

Union – 2690 US 22

IHOP

Union – 2500 US 22

Wendy’s

Union – 410 US 22

White Castle

2458 Route 22