August 5, 2020

Tropical Storm Isaias Update #5

RE: Water and Ice, Charging/Cooling, Brush Collection, Calendar Updates

Dear Resident,

Marlboro Office of Emergency Management and my office continues to be in contact with our JCP&L representative. Crews are in Marlboro, removing trees and restoring power lines and some residents have had their power restored.  However, with the number of power outages throughout New Jersey following this storm, the three major utility providers are expecting recovery to be a multi-day effort.  We will continue to push JCP&L to get estimated times of restoration specific to Marlboro. To date, JCP&L has not given specific times for repairs as they assess and evaluate damage from the storm. 

Road closures, downed trees and power lines throughout the Township remain on both major and secondary roads.  Intersections with non-functioning traffic lights should be treated as a 4-way stop.  Please follow all detours and signage in place. 

We remind resident not to call the police for updates on power restoration.  They do not have additional information and their lines must stay open for emergencies.  Should an emergency occur and your road is blocked, rest assured that emergency services will be able to get to you. 

Please note the following service updates:

CHARGING AND COOLING STATION - The Marlboro Recreation Center (1996 Recreation Way off of Wyncrest Road) is open until 9:00 pm today for charging and cooling.   Please enter the Recreation Center through the side entrance (follow signs to ‘Gym’).  Tables, chairs and charging strips are throughout the gym to allow residents to charge electronics, medical devices, etc.  To keep everyone safe, face coverings/masks must be worn and social distancing is required.  As we remain under a State Public Health Emergency, note that you may be asked to wait outside in order for us to adhere to the recommended limits on indoor gatherings.  Please do not bring food or drink onto the Recreation Center. 

WELL WATER RESIDENTS – For residents without public water, a water tank with non-potable water will be available after 4:00 pm today at Vanderburg Sports Complex (located near Boundary road).  This water is not for consumption.  Please bring your own containers. 

JCP&L ICE AND WATER –For those customers remaining without power for 24 hours or more, JCP&L is offering free water and ice.  Local locations include the Shop Rite in Marlboro and Aberdeen.  A complete list of locations throughout the state is HERE.  

EMERGENCY BRUSH PICKUP – In response to the recent storm, the Department of Public Works (DPW) will begin emergency storm debris removal (brush only). All debris must be placed curbside no later than 7:00 am Monday, August 10. As this collection is town-wide and not by zone, it is anticipated to take approximately four weeks.  Note, however, that once Public Works clears your street, they will not return and your brush must be removed by private contractor or brought to the recycling center. 

Please note the following:

  • To ensure that our streets are safe and passable and to prevent flooding, debris should be placed on your property near the curb and not in the roadway. 
  • Debris placed curbside that does not meet regulations will not be collected and must be brought to the recycling center or removed by a private contractor.  All brush is to be cut to a maximum length of six (6) feet and a maximum diameter of four (4) inches and should not exceed fifty (50) pounds in weight. Branches less than one inch in diameter shall be tied in neat bundles no more than four (4) feet in length and two (2) feet across. 
  • Brush commingled with leaves, grass, rocks, stumps, construction debris, fence posts, etc., trash or recyclables will not be collected. 
  • Individuals or contractors placing debris for collection in an unauthorized manner shall be required to remove the waste from the public right of way.

This interim collection only applies to storm debris. The normal brush collection will commence in October as previously published. Note that all regulations as detailed in the recycling calendar and HERE must be adhered to:

CANCELLATIONS/POSTPONEMENT.  Due to power outages and storm cleanup, please note the following adjustments to the Township calendar:

  • Planning Board (virtual) scheduled for this evening is cancelled.  
  •  Community First event scheduled for Thursday, August 6 is postponed.  A new date will be announced.
  • Backyard Movie Night originally scheduled for last night is rescheduled to Tuesday, August 11. 

JCP&L has asked us to advise customers that they currently have staging sites for crews in Jackson Township, Oceanport, and Livingston, which run like mini-cities with hundreds of workers refueling and stocking up there throughout the day and night. They have brought in nearly 1,800 additional personnel, including 740 additional line workers and 725 additional forestry contractors who will be working around the clock to restore power. This will be a multi-day event for many residents throughout the region.

In the midst of all of this, let us not forget that we remain under a Public Health Emergency.  Please continue to wear your face coverings and maintain the proper social distance.  Also, please be mindful that this pandemic presents another level of challenge for our emergency response personnel who are working under very difficult physical conditions.

Thank you, and we will continue to update you are more information becomes available. 
Mayor Jon Hornik