Politics & Government

Debris Removal Planned for One Sweep Through Town

Mayor Dan Hayes fills residents in on plans for hurricane clean-up.

To the Editor:

Hurricane Sandy was indeed a devastating storm to our region, our state and our township. The amount of damage is of historic proportion. As I write this note, thousands of our residents remain without power, many have suffered significant damage to their homes and many more damage to their property.  Fortunately personal injuries were very limited. 

Communications

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There is much to communicate in an environment where communication access is limited. If you have access to the internet, current updates and important links can be found on the township website. The library is open and has Internet access. I have made daily (and sometimes more than daily) updates. 

If you have an emergency, dial 911. If you have a need for shelter or other requirements, our Office of Emergency Management remains open and the county and state have established shelters. If this is a need, please call BWT PD at 908-722-4111.

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Power

If you are without power, be sure to report your outage to your power company. Even if the outage is widespread, they need to know you are without power. I have participated in daily phone conferences to assure that our residents’ needs are heard. Power companies are working in our area. More timely updates can be obtained from their websites or customer service numbers.

Voting

Election Day is Nov. 6. Anyone who wishes can vote early at the office of the county clerk in Somerville on Grove Street. The clerk's office and board of elections office is open for walk-in voting Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 8:30 am to 4:30 p.m., and Monday from 8:30 a.m. until 3 pm. Polls will open on Election Day. If your regular polling place does not have power, the state will provide a mobile voting station. Please plan a little extra time for voting if you are voting on Tuesday.

Municipal Services

The municipal building is currently without power, but is open to assist residents from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Members of all departments are represented. Normal hours will resume when power returns.

Debris Removal

The storm has left an unprecedented amount of tree damage. The township will provide support for yard waste clean-up, but cannot be relied upon to pick up the bulk of the damage. It is simply too much material for the limited resources of the township. The administration and council has approved a plan, which is detailed later in this letter.

Throughout this event, I have been continually impressed by the hundreds of people focused on protecting our residents, our welfare and our property.  Everyone at the administration is dedicated to recovery efforts. I am confident our sense of community, resolve and patience will see us through.

Sincerely,

Mayor Dan Hayes

Bridgewater Township Emergency Storm Tree and Brush Debris Cleanup

The storm has left an unprecedented amount of tree damage. The township will provide support for yard waste clean-up, but cannot be relied upon to pick up the bulk of the damage. It is simply too much material for the limited resources of the township. The administration and council has approved the following plan.

Six temporary yard waste sites in addition to our township facility have been established and are open to receive tree and brush material, but no leaves.

Residents utilizing professional assistance to cut and remove downed trees are encouraged to utilize these services for timely removal of material. Professionals can deposit the material at one of the seven park locations, thereby saving fees usually incurred at the yard waste facility.

Residents able to transport material themselves or hiring a carting service should utilize one of the temporary locations or the main facility for timely disposal of their material.

Residents requiring pick–up can take advantage of township wide pick-up. The township will publish a schedule for each section of town, providing a “no–earlier than date” for each section. Contractors (supplemented by a DPW crew) will make ONE sweep of each road per section per schedule removing yard waste deposited for pick-up. Detailed records of roads covered will be kept and a second sweep will not be permitted.  

The scheduled pick–ups will not start immediately. A schedule will be published as soon as contractors can be retained. Pick-ups are estimated to begin in four weeks. The actual pick-up can take up to an additional four weeks depending upon the amount of material. Sooner pick-up is limited by the fact that contractors are not currently available at reasonable prices.  

Notes:

  1. Drop-off and pick-up is for tree and brush material only. Loose leaf material is processed separately and must be kept apart. Bagged leaf pick-up will continue as planned.
  2. Material awaiting pick-up cannot be placed in the streets. Material for pick-up must be cut and stacked neatly on your property curbside without obstructing the sidewalk or road.

Drop off locations: (Please drop material in marked section only!)

  • Crim Park
  • Chimney Rock Park
  • Harry Ally Park
  • Ardmaer Park
  • Prince Rodgers Baseball Park
  • Thomae Park
  • Township Yard waste Facility

Check the township website for the town-wide pick up schedule, as well as, additional information which may become available.


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