Mother Nature delivers one-two punch to area

Few problems reported by area police departments

By: Marjorie Censer
   Though the snowfall that hit the Princeton area early Sunday morning caused few problems, towns were gearing up Monday for what was predicted to be a much greater snowfall overnight.
   Keith Arnesen, an assistant climatologist at the Office of the New Jersey State Climatologist at Rutgers University, said that roughly 3 inches fell in the Princeton area Sunday, beginning after midnight and ending around 5 or 6 a.m. He said on Monday afternoon that another 2 to 3 inches of the white stuff was expected to fall — beginning in the late afternoon and ending by sunrise this morning.
   Princeton Borough Administrator Robert Bruschi said the borough was prepared for Sunday’s snow and worked to ensure the downtown was clear for shoppers. He said it was slightly more difficult than usual to plow the streets because of the increased amount of traffic downtown.
   The snowfall was so light, Princeton Township Superintendent of Public Works Don Hansen said, that the township opted to forgo plowing in favor of spreading salt. Mr. Hansen said Monday that his crew had already spread 100 tons of salt.
   He explained that plows typically suffer damage when used, so — with Monday night’s heavier snowfall in the forecast — he decided Sunday to keep them in reserve.
   "You’ve got to take every storm differently," Mr. Hansen said, explaining why his department chose to salt rather than plow. "We knew the temperature was going to rise."
   He said slightly more than a dozen residents called in to complain about the roads — most of these, he said, live on cul-de-sacs that weren’t plowed. Mr. Hansen said the number of complaints was typical.
   "The whole picture is we’ve got to do what’s best for the community," he explained, adding that the township’s snow-removal crew and plows were ready to go on Monday.
   Mr. Bruschi, too, said the borough was prepared for Monday night’s snow. Some members of the crew went home at noon so they would be rested for a night of work. Members of the Princeton Sewer Operating Committee are backup workers for the snow-removal crew, he added.
   However, Mr. Bruschi said Monday he did not expect problems today.
   "We expect it to be more of a nuisance than anything else," he said.
   NJ Transit on Monday said it was ready for snow. Trains and buses, as well as train and bus stations, have been inspected to ensure they are working properly and ready for the winter. The transit system also has on hand two jet-engine-powered snow blowers and 20,000 pounds of salt — and an additional 100,000 pounds can be obtained if necessary. All locomotives are equipped with snowplows.
   Sunday’s storm caused few traffic accidents, local police said. Montgomery Township Police Director Michael Beltranena said there were two accidents in Montgomery, while Plainsboro Capt. Liz Bondurant said her township saw one or two incidents. Princeton Township Capt. Mark Emann said there were several accidents on Sunday and Monday.
   All said the cases were relatively minor.
   "People aren’t used to driving in snow," Capt. Emann said, noting that the accidents were typical for the first snowfall of the year.
   West Windsor Sgt. Patrick McCormick and Mr. Beltranena said their towns were preparing on Monday for the impending snowfall.
   "With this next barrage that’s supposed to happen tonight, we’ll see," Sgt. McCormick said Monday afternoon. "The township is ready to go."