Lansdale Cleaning Up After Hurricane Sandy

Lansdale Borough Manager Timi Kirchner estimated it could take up to two weeks to clean up all the branches and debris in its various parks.

She said parks staff and director Carl Saldutti have inspected all parks and assessed damage.

"There are a number of trees either snapped off or uprooted in various park locations within the park system," she said in a statement to Montgomeryville-Lansdale Patch. "To date, the footpaths and parking lots have been cleared of down trees and fallen limbs."

Lansdale Parks and Recreation focused its clean up on those paths used by schoolchildren. It has also targeted Railroad Plaza for quick cleanup in anticipation of First Friday Nov. 2.

On Thursday, public works and parks staff cut trees into manageable sizes.

Kirchner said wood would be made available to borough residents.

While the wood is available for taking, residents cannot use power equipment or vehicles in the interior of the park.

There are footpaths that are closed at least until after the weekend to allow for clean up in the following parks:

• Memorial Park
• Stony Creek Park Nature Trail
• White's Road Park 

Once reopened, the paths may be slippery due to wet leaves, so Kirchner advised caution to pedestrians.

Kirchner said the borough is still receiving calls regarding down trees, down wires and compromised utility poles. There are still residents facing intermittent power outages, she said.

About 120 to 150 residents were without power during the peak of Hurricane Sandy. The borough electric department worked quickly, she said, to restore power.

There are about 100 Lansdale residents without power, but those residents have power through PECO and not the borough. These residents are in the area of Greenwood Road across from Hillcrest Shopping Center.

Kirchner said public works, parks and recration and community development are working with various neighborhoods and individual homeowners on clean up and repairs.

As of Wednesday, Knapp Road was open entirely.

West Eighth Street, as of Thursday, remained closed between Maple Avenue and Kenilworth Avenue for a leaning utility pole.

East Hancock Street between South Broad Street and Line Street also remains closed due to a snapped PECO utility pole.

Kirchner said barricades are up to keep people out of these areas because they present a clear safety issue for anyone walking or driving through that area.

Lansdale Library has been open since Tuesday, and has remained busy, she said.

"The library has been busy with people coming, especially those from the surrounding area who do not have electricity.  They are spending time using the computers, reading newspapers, along with all the other services that the library offers," she said.

The borough is also giving some ease to utility bill payments.

All utility bills now have due dates extended by two days. For instance, a bill due October 31 is now due November 2.

Customers scheduled for electric shut-off due to non-payment this week now have a one-week delay. Shut offs will begin the week of November 5.

Customers need not come to borough hall to pay bills. Payments can now be made online at https://www.municipalonlinepayments.com/lansdalepa

Customers can also pay by phone by calling 1-888-844-8371.

Kirchner reminds commuters and pedestrians to use caution as they traverse the borough.

"Under no circumstance should anyone drive around a barricade, as this creates a safety hazard with high potential for injuries," she said.

See an incident to report? Call the borough at 215-368-1691. Emergencies? Dial 911.

For more information on post-storm news, visit www.lansdale.org or keep informed via Montgomeryville-Lansdale Patch.