Up To Date With Sandy

Here’s a quick update on what’s been gon on in East Brunswick, and a little bit about Milltown.

MILLTOWN

It is not necessary to boil water in Milltown. The borough is receiving water from East Brunswick.

There is no power, but the facility is safe, secure undamaged, but power isn’t expected to return for 7 to 10 days. Milltown remains in a state of emergency and a dawn to dusk curfew is in effect. Residents are advised to secure generators and other equipment.

Milltown Borough Hall will re-open tomorrow (Wednesday, Oct. 31) for regular business hours (8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.).

EAST BRUNSWICK

This message was sent to the public by Deputy Chief William Krause, Jr., the East Brunswick Director of Public Safety.

“Now that Hurricane Sandy has passed through our area and Township emergency crews have begun working to address the damage caused by the storm, Mayor David Stahl has asked me to provide township residents with a summary of information that has been disseminated over the past 48 hours. These messages were sent out continually throughout the event via Facebook. Twitter, Nixle and the Township website.

“On Sunday, Oct. 28, at 6:30 p.m., a State of Emergency was declared for the Township of East Brunswick. The declaration was accompanied by a mandatory evacuation notice being distributed, door-to-door, in the township's River Road area. It was also reported that township schools would be closed for Monday and Tuesday. The public was advised of temporary shelter facility locations at Trinity Presbyterian Church, Carl Sandburg Middle School in Old Bridge and at the Woodbridge Community Center. It was announced that the Township Recycling Center, Transportation Center and Municipal Court would be closed Monday and Tuesday. The Senior Center was also closed until further notice and the township Library was closed Monday and Tuesday. Garbage and recycling pickup were cancelled for Monday and Tuesday. Township employees began arriving to staff the township’s Emergency Operations Center at approximately 7:30 p.m. and the center was operational at midnight.
“On Monday, Oct. 29, at 7:50 a.m., water levels from the South River began to rise and all traffic was advised to avoid the areas of Main Street, River Road and Old Matawan Road. Main Street and Old Matawan Road were subsequently closed to traffic. At 12:10 p.m. the Township Council meeting was postponed until Monday, Nov. 1, and a township wide travel ban was announced. At 5:45 p.m. a high storm surge was expected and major flooding was expected. The town began to experience significant power outages, fallen trees and utility poles and downed wires. Motor vehicle and pedestrian traffic were banned. Due to rising water levels, an emergency evacuation of the historic district, Main Street, Old Matawan Road, River Road and surrounding roads was conducted door to door.

Through a cooperative effort between the township and the East Brunswick Board of Education, potential flood victims were transported in Board of Education buses and given temporary shelter at Hammarskjold School.

“Solid waste pickup is scheduled Wednesday through Sunday and will not be based on district locations. Garbage should be placed on the curb, not in the street. Monday, Nov. 5, garbage collection will resume normal operations. The recycling center will be closed until roads are safe. An announcement will be made when it reopens. Tree limbs should be cut to a 4-foot minimum and need not to be bundled. Place on curb, not in street. A global connect message was put out to reinforce the townships travel ban and it was announced that schools will be closed Wednesday, Oct. 31. All residents are advised to avoid township parks as hazardous conditions exist at those locations. Township water has been determined to be safe. Finally, all township offices will be closed Wednesday, Oct. 31.

“Township officials would like to thank all residents for following the informational notices and we will continue to provide as much information as possible in a timely manner.”