Friday, November 9, 2012

Service to Majority of Jersey Central Power & Light Customers to Be Restored by Saturday
Mon Power Restoration Work Continues

More than 14,500 FirstEnergy (NYSE: FE) professionals, outside contractors and utility workers are restoring service to Jersey Central Power & Light (JCP&L) customers following last week's Hurricane Sandy and this week's nor'easter.

Approximately 168,000 JCP&L customers in New Jersey remain without power. Since yesterday, crews restored power to approximately 100,000 customers.

Today, an additional 1,200 line workers are traveling to New Jersey from the northeast to join nearly 7,000 line workers already on the ground. With these additional resources, the majority of customers who do not have power, including those who experienced new outages as a result of the nor'easter, will have power restored by Saturday evening. In some communities where service wires to individual homes must be replaced, power will be restored by Sunday evening. Devastated areas, mostly in the barrier islands where crews were not able to begin service restoration until recently, will extend into next week.

In West Virginia, more than 3,000 utility workers, including 1,300 linemen, continue to repair damage caused by high wind and wet, heavy snow in the higher elevations. Crews have replaced more than 600 distribution poles and work continues to replace an additional 400-plus poles, of which 220 are off-road poles. Currently, approximately 11,700 Mon Power customers remain without service, and power has been restored to about 230,000 customers affected by the storm. Restoration for customers in the most heavily damaged areas, including parts of Barbour, Nicholas, Preston, Randolph, Tucker, Upshur and Webster counties should be completed by the end of the weekend.

As restoration work continues, customers are cautioned never to touch downed lines. Always assume downed wires are carrying electricity and keep children and pets away from them. Downed wires should be reported immediately to your electric company or local police or fire department. Customers should never try to remove trees or limbs from power lines because they could conduct electricity. They should wait for emergency services or utility crews to arrive.

To report an outage, customers should call 1-888-LIGHTSS (1-888-544-4877). If power has been restored to your neighbors, but your power remains out, be sure to report the outage. The issue could be isolated to an individual home and require further repairs.

To ensure the safety of the home's occupants as well as that of utility company employees who may be working on power lines in the area, the proper generator should be selected and installed by a qualified electrician. When operating a generator, always disconnect the power coming into the home so power from the generator is not sent back onto the utility company lines, creating a hazardous situation for utility workers.

For updated information on the company's current outages, FirstEnergy's storm restoration process and tips for staying safe, visit the 24/7 Power Center at www.firstenergycorp.com/outages. JCP&L customers can find the latest information on Facebook at www.facebook.com/JCPandL. FirstEnergy operating companies also are providing updates via Twitter @JCP_L and @MonPowerWV.

FirstEnergy is a diversified energy company dedicated to safety, reliability and operational excellence. Its 10 electric distribution companies form one of the nation's largest investor-owned electric systems, serving customers in Maryland, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York and West Virginia. Its generation subsidiaries control more than 20,000 megawatts of capacity from a diversified mix of scrubbed coal, non-emitting nuclear, natural gas, hydro, pumped-storage hydro and other renewables.

Follow FirstEnergy on Twitter @FirstEnergyCorp.

Tuesday, November 6, 2012

Nor’easter Headed our way on Wednesday As Jackson Township residents are still trying to recover from the damage and devastation that Hurricane Sandy has left behind, meteorologists are now calling for a Nor’easter that could possibly damage our area further.

Mayor Reina would like to encourage everyone to heed these warnings associated with this storm. As per the National Weather Service, a powerful Nor'easter packing heavy rain with gusts up to 50 mph is now projected to affect our area Wednesday into Thursday. Associated with this type of storm comes flooding, damaged power lines and closed roads. Please take and make all necessary precautions before this storm arrives.

JCP&L has been made aware of those still without power as a result of Hurricane Sandy. It is of the utmost importance that your reported outage contains a JCP&L confirmation number. This confirmation number identifies you and your problem. Without it they may not be aware of your particular situation. Please report power outages to JCP&L at 888-544-4877. If this storm should hit we will be opening our Office of Emergency Management which can be reached at 732-928-9414. All life threatening emergencies should be directed to 9-1-1.

The Township will do its best to update information on its website as it becomes available to us to keep the public informed. Please visit the Jackson Township website at www.jacksontwpnj.net, as well as social media outlets, and your local radio stations.

Tuesday, November 6, 2012

Jackson Police encouraged residents who feel they've been a victim of a hurricane-related crime to report the incident right away. Victims should not confront someone suspected of criminal activity, Dial 911 instead.

If you have a downed power line or another hazardous situation, call 1-888-LIGHTSS (1-888-544-4877) immediately.

• Your safety is important to us. 
• Stay away from all power lines. 
• Assume they are live and dangerous. 

Thursday, November 1, 2012

Hurricane Sandy update

Jackson Township has lifted the travel curfew as of this time. We would like to thank everyone for their cooperation with staying off the roads during the evening and overnight hours. It is still recommended that if you do not need to be out after dark, not to travel until all roadways have been confirmed as clear and power is further restored. If you must travel, please treat every uncontrolled intersection as a 4 way stop. Come to a full stop at all areas where traffic lights are out and proceed when safe to do so.

Mayor Reina, along with Jackson Police and the Jackson Township Office of Emergency Management, have been in contact with JCP&L regarding the vast power outages across town. While we understand the inconvience and frustration, it is extremely important that we are patient with JCP&L as they are doing their best to get power restored as quickly as possible. Their first step is to assess the damage to transmission lines and substations to ensure the residents safety. Once all assessments are complete, they can start with the restoration and circuitry process. Residents that are still without power are encouraged to call JCP&L directly at 1-888-LIGHTSS (1-800-544-4877). They need to be notified of the areas without power so they know where restoration is needed.

Residents that are without water, can bring containers to the Municipal Building located at 95 West Veterans Hwy. There will be a garden hose hooked up to an outdoor spigot on the rear of the building. The Jackson Memorial High School will open their doors to residents in need of a shower on Friday, November 2nd from 8am-4pm. You must bring your own supplies and will be able to charge a device, such as cell phone, laptop, etc. You must bring your own power supply chargers.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) can be contacted at 1-800-621-3362. This number can be utilized for emergency relief and damage assessments as a result of Hurricane Sandy.

Up to date information on this storm can be found by visiting the Jackson Township website at www.jacksontwpnj.net, social media outlets, and by listening to your local radio stations.

Wednesday, Oct. 31 @ 11:50 a.m.

AN IMPORTANT MESSAGE FROM MAYOR MICHAEL REINA AND THE JACKSON TOWNSHIP POLICE DEPARTMENT:

Trick or Treating Township-wide has been postponed until further notice. It WILL be rescheduled.

A Township-wide curfew is in effect from 7 PM to 7 AM each day. This means no one is to drive or walk on roads.

Motorists should treat blinking or non-working traffic lights as a 4-way stop.

October 30, 2012

Travel Ban Lifted

As of October 31, 2012 at 7 am, the travel ban for Jackson Township will be lifted. Unnecessary travel is still not recommended.

There are still many closed roadways and other obstructions which can make travel hazardous. Closed roads are closed for a reason. DO NOT drive around or remove barricades, caution tape or flares.

Use caution at intersections because without power, there are no traffic lights working.

Stay away from any downed wires and consider them as being live.

If you do need to go out on the township roadways, please drive carefully, exercise caution and remember that you do so at your own risk.

Jackson Township offices and schools will be closed on Wednesday October 31, 2012.

October 29, 2012

Mayor Michael Reina, the Jackson Police Department and the Jackson Office of Emergency Management is announcing that all roadways in Jackson Township will be closed at 6 pm until further notice as Hurricane Sandy makes landfall in New Jersey.

If you are out at this time, return home or seek shelter. If you plan on using a shelter such as the Jackson Liberty High School, we recommend that you leave now prior to nightfall.

Please be advised that there are multiple streets in the township that are now closed because of downed trees or powerlines. If you are out, and see any kind of wires on the ground, stay away as they may be live electrical wires.

All persons on the road who are not essential or emergency personnel or who are seeking shelter, are subject to being stopped and ticketed.

Thank you for your cooperation.

October 28, 2012

TO ALL RESIDENTS AND PERSONS WITHIN THE TOWNSHIP OF JACKSON;

In accordance with the aforesaid laws,is promulgated and declared that the following regulations shall be in addition to all other laws of the State of New Jersey and the Township of Jackson,

1. The Township shall activate its Alert Warning and Communications Annex with the National Weather Service and will be disseminated using all appropriate communication media. 
2. The Township will utilize all necessary Annexes as deemed necessary to assist in its operations. 
3. The Township shall initiate actions that will maintain the safety of life and the protection of property. 
4. The Township shall provide a shelter for those needing assistance from the Hurricane/Tropical Storm Sandy. 
5. The Township shall institute a travel ban within its boundaries effective Midnight October 29, 2012, which will remain in effect until such time it is deem that all vehicle passage will be made under safe conditions.

Should you lose power, Channel 12 News is providing a live news feed through your phone service. Call 646-273-1212 for a live news, weather and traffic.

October 26, 2012

AN IMPORTANT MESSAGE FROM

MAYOR MICHAEL REINA’S OFFICE AND THE JACKSON TOWNSHIP DEPARTMENT

OF PUBLIC WORKS

PLEASE BE ADVISED THAT DUE TO THE IMPENDING STORMS THAT MAY AFFECT OUR AREA BEGINNING SUNDAY, OCTOBER 28^TH, RESIDENTS SHOULD TAKE THE FOLLOWING PRECAUTIONS:

1. REMOVE ALL GARBAGE AND RECYCLING CONTAINERS FROM THE ROADWAYS AND SECURE THEM CLOSELY TO YOUR HOME.
2. MAKE SURE THAT ALL OTHER OUTSIDE FURNITURE, SPORTS APPARATUS, ETC. ARE PLACED INSIDE OR SECURED.
3. IF YOU HAVE ALREADY PLACED YOUR LEAVES OR BRUSH AT THE CURB, PLEASE REMOVE IT IMMEDIATELY AS IT MAY CAUSE DAMAGE TO YOUR HOME AND PROPERTY.
4. IF YOU HAVE A STORM DRAIN ON YOUR STREET, PLEASE ASSIST US AND REMOVE ANY DEBRIS THAT IS COVERING THE TOP. THIS WILL ALLOW WATER TO FLOW FREELY INTO THE DRAIN AND WILL HELP PREVENT FLOODING.
5. IF YOU LOSE POWER, PLEASE CALL 1-888-544-4877.
6. IF YOU ARE CONSIDERED ESSENTIAL PERSONNEL, PLEASE MAKE ARRANGEMENTS TO BE AT YOUR PLACE OF EMPLOYMENT BEFORE THE ROADWAYS ARE TOO HAZARDOUS TO TRAVEL.
7. IN CASE OF LOSS OF POWER, PLEASE MAKE SURE THAT YOU HAVE ENOUGH WATER, BATTERIES, FLASHLIGHTS, MEDICATION, ETC. TO GET YOU THROUGH A FEW DAYS.
8. IN CASE OF EMERGENCIES ONLY, PLEASE CALL 9-1-1.

PLEASE NOTE THAT DUE TO IMPENDING HIGH WINDS, THE TOWNSHIP COMPOST AND BULKY WASTE FACILITY WILL BE CLOSED ON MONDAY AND TUESDAY, OCTOBER 29 & 30. THE COMPOST SITE WILL REOPEN THIS WEEK ONLY, ON WEDNESDAY, THURSDAY AND FRIDAY.

FOR UPDATES ON THIS STORM, PLEASE REFER TO THE JACKSON TOWNSHIP WEBSITE AT WWW.JACKSONTWPNJ.NET. YOU MAY ALSO GET UPDATES FROM YOUR LOCAL RADIO STATIONS.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR COOPERATION.