Marple and Newtown Officials Recount Irene

Marple Township "Fared Better Than Anticipated"

Commissioners President Michael Molinaro declared a state of emergency on Saturday morning. According to Molinaro, declaring a state of emergency will allow for reimbursement on certain storm-related expenses from the state.

On Sunday morning, Molinaro met with , , code enforcement, Department of Public Works and Commissioner Jan Ceton, township emergency coordinator.

"We will remain in a state of emergency until the wind stops and electricity is restored," said Molinaro on Sunday afternoon.

Molinaro said the township had several downed trees with some on electric lines. PECO was aware of the situation and many of those trees were removed. As of noon on Sunday, Molinaro said approximately 3,100 homes were without power.

Though Marple residents around Darby Creek were issued evacuation notices from the township by Saturday afternoon for precautionary measures, Molinaro said after Irene hit Marple, "Our waterways fared well with minimum flooding."

On Wednesday, the township will begin to pick up tree limbs (bundled in 4-foot lengths) around town. Molinaro said residents must bundle and place the tree limbs curbside.  

Residents with storm-related issues are encouraged to contact the township building at 610-356-4040.

Overall, Molinaro said the township had "fared better than anticipated" with Hurricane Irene.

Newtown Township Logs in Over 50 Incidents From Storm

According to Supervisors Vice Chairman Dr. Ross Lambert, also the town's fire marshal and emergency management coordinator, the town had logged in over 50 incidents throughout the storm but most were "minor incidents."

Lambert said the emergency operations center (EOC), located on the second floor of the township's municipal building, was open at 1 p.m. on Saturday, which he and Karl Keehn, assistant management coordinator, staffed all night and closed the center at 11 a.m. on Sunday.

Several areas of the township remained without power Sunday morning, said Lambert. Currently, the township is unaware of any residents who had required emergency assistance during that time.

Lambert stated that, "Many basements were flooded and required either commercial pump out or fire company assistance to pump out on Sunday morning."

In terms of the most current number of residents still without power, Lambert said no updates are available on exactly how many customers are still without power but believes there are some. 

Lambert also thanked all the township employees and volunteers who helped throughout Irene.

"Our gratitude goes out to Mike Trio [township manager] and staff for the great job verifying our resources prior to the storm," said Lambert. "Mike was with us most of the night and checked in regularly. Our highway department responded swiftly to all of the incidents overnight. Charlie Steimetz, Karl Baumeister, and Mark Akers worked tirelessly all night."

In addition, Lambert recognized the first responders who were on call during the storm.

" officers, Chief Dennis Anderson, Sgt. Steve SanGiorgio, Sgt. Robert Smith, Det. Joe Vandegrift, and officers Joe Alonso and Dave Wilding, who patrolled and served continuously all night," thanked Lambert.

In addition to police, "Enormous and special thanks are due to the . (NSFC) and Fire Police for answering the numerous calls. Professional, as always. Fire Chief Doug Simpson was in constant contact with the EOC overnight. His expertise and his experience was invaluable. Fire Police Lt. Roland Bucalia was in charge and up all night. Fire Police assisted the police and showed once again how invaluable they really are. Thanks to all at NSFC."

Overall, Lambert said it was, "a great job done by all."