Library, Municipal Building to Reopen Thursday

The Bridgewater Township Library will reopen Thursday after it regained power Wednesday, and the municipal building will have limited hours despite still being dark.

According to Bridgewater Township Mayor Dan Hayes, the municipal building will be open Thursday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. He said the building still does not have power, but they will be working by natural light.

"I told my team we need to reopen for non-essential services," he said. "We've closed for a few days, but eventually non-essential services become essential."

Hayes said there will be representatives from every department in the building for those four hours Thursday to help with any essential needs residents have.

"This is for time-sensitive needs," he said.

As for power to the rest of the township, Hayes said, they are still looking at about , but no exact time frame has been issues as to when it will be restored.

"Utilities are working to restore transmissions," he said. "Crews have begun working, and residents should unplug sensitive electronics to avoid power surges."

Hayes said power is being restored in some areas every so often, but there is no time frame for all power to come back throughout the entire township.

"We need to get the power back on because that means we have identified hazards on the roads, and decreased the need to get to gas stations," he said.

Those hazards, Hayes said, are continuing to make the roads dangerous for travel, although drivers should be sure to obey all barricades.

"The roadways present some dangers from downed trees and wires, and traffic signals not working," he said. "If you have to travel, please obey all barricades, and people need to be on the lookout for ones that may have been moved."

"If tape is present, the hazard is still there," he added. "It is still dangerous so please avoid unnecessary travel and use extreme caution."

Hayes said he is just continuously impressed by the work people are doing.

"I am continually impressed by the organization and dedication of the people in our emergency services," he said. "They have been working around the clock. The responders, especially those in the Office of Emergency Management, are putting the township first."