Irene: DPW Can't Remove Trees That Have Fallen on Wires

The township is aware of many roads through Bridgewater with trees making them impassable—but the township's Department of Public Works can do nothing about them.

While the township is currently dealing with the reports of trees that have fallen across roadways, some have fallen across power lines and wires, and they cannot be cleared until the power company restores power.

“Until the power company restores power, we can’t do anything about those,” said township administrator Robert Bogart. “We don’t know if they’re dead wires or not, and we literally cannot touch anything that has wires entwined.”

Bogart said he understands that Sherlin Drive currently has wires all over the road, which is keeping that impassable, among other streets throughout Bridgewater.

At this point, about 35 to 40 percent of Bridgewater residents with PSE&G are without power, translating to about 4,400 people.

JCP&L is reporting 82 people are without power at this point.

Bogart said there are crews all over, even from other states, pitching in to help restore power throughout the state.

But for trees that are in the road, Bogart said, those on wires have to be dealt with by the power company to ensure the safety of the workers.

“And there are some roads with pretty severe wire problems,” he said.