MORE GOOD NEWS. . .
The work on the Keansburg Substation appears to have worked because most of West Keansburg has been restored. This was the last "large" neighborhood to need power. Now we are pushing for the smaller pockets like along Line Road, Stanford, Layfayette, Lillian Drive/RHA area among others.
As we keep saying, We will not rest until EVERYONE has power.
The next scheduled call with JCP&L is at 8 PM. . .
***VOTING UPDATE***
ALL POLLS ARE OPEN UNTIL 8 PM FOR THE GENERAL ELECTION.
If you normally vote at Raritan H.S. (Districts 7 & 17), your polling location has been moved to Town Hall, 1766 Union Ave. (in Veteran's Memorial Park). All other polling places we be in operation as usual.
*** CURFEW CANCELLED ***
The Hazlet Township Curfew has been suspended effective immediately.
OK, here are two positive updates before we close up the Virtual EOC for the night:
1. JCP&L News: The Keansburg Substation is being reenergized as we speak. There were problems at this station so we DO NOT know when OUR portion of the station will be restored, but lets all hope and pray that the West Keansburg section was not the part that was a problem and that the lights are soon burning there. Also, our Township Administrator spoke directly to the Regional JCP&L Director via telephone late this afternoon and confirmed that the list of addresses we sent them this morning has indeed been forwarded to their so-called "War Room" and that the assignments have been sent into the field crews. We honestly do not know if that was intended to make us feel good or means the lights will soon be on, but we can't help but remain optimistic that this answer was still better than nothing.
ONLY 9% OF HAZLET IS STILL WITHOUT POWER. We will not rest until it is 100% Restored!
2. TRICK OR TREATING: Mayor Tinker and the Township Committee understand that despite the nearly 8,000 people who attended Trunk or Treat on Saturday, there are still people who want to trick or treat and were told that they could not do it today. Many parts of Hazlet are still without power or are otherwise UNSAFE for pedestrian traffic. Until we can be sure the ENTIRE towns is safe for children to be out at night, we cannot in GOOD CONSCIENCE allow trick or treating on the streets, but our Governing Body will revisit this trick or treating question as soon as our Emergency Managers feel it is safe to do so. We will ask the Board of Education to share this information with you when a decision has been made to schedule another date, if one is selected.
***REQUESTED DONATIONS***
After meeting with groups that are currently collecting donations for those affected by the hurricane they have determined that at this point they do not have a need for any more clothing or baby supplies. Items that were specifically requested were:
-contractor style trash bags
-containers/bins/garbage cans
-tarps
-cleaning supplies
-duct tape
-work boots
-firewood
These items can be brought to 7 Days Bar & Grill in Union Beach on Union Ave.
We have also been advised that free meals are available tonight at Monmouth Park Racetrack starting at 5pm (sorry we do not have more specific information).
The Northern Monmouth Chamber of Commerce will soon be taking up the task of coordinating all donations. As soon as we have more information we will post it here.