Over 1,000 Still Without Power in Township

Chatham Township Mayor Nicole Hagner said Wednesday several sections of town had their power restored, including:

• Wickham Woods
• Southern Boulevard to Fairmount Avenue
• All of Fairmount Avenue
• Shunpike Road to Ferndale Road
• Rolling Hill neighborhood
• Buttonwood Lane
• Crestwood Drive

"Line crews have been working all day to get poles set on and around Snake Hill to restore power to the condo complexes on River Road. This is the largest section of town that is still out," Hagner said in a statement Wednesday.

"I have no concrete estimate from JCP&L on when damage to this area will be fully repaired, but word from the crew on the ground indicates that, weather dependent, they [could] complete the job by Thursday," Hagner said.

According to the outage map at the First Energy website, 1,438 customers in Chatham Township are still without power as of 10 p.m. Wednesday.

Township residents whose power has not yet been restored are asked to contact JCP&L at (888) 544-4877.

Hagner said the township's Department of Public Works is unable to clear residential storm debris. Fees for dumping debris at the Tanglewood mulch facility are being waived in the wake of Tropical Storm Sandy, including fees usually given to contractors hired by private residents.

The Chatham Township Municipal Building is currently serving as a warming and charging station open 24 hours a day. The Madison Area YMCA is also open to residents.

Hagner asked residents to check on any neighbors with special needs as the nor'easter hits the area.

Township residents are also able to take chartered buses from the Madison and Chatham train stations to New York City. Buses leave at 6, 7 and 7:30 a.m. and cost $20 roundtrip.

To help citizens through the nor'easter, the township established a drop-off point for firewood next to the pool at Sutton Woods. The wood is free to pick-up and all donations are appreciated. Anyone who requires a firewood delivery can call (908) 313-8949.