UPDATED REPORT: As of Nov. 2, East Windsor officials unsure when power would be fully restored
By Jen Samuel, Managing Editor
EAST WINDSOR – It is anticipated by Jersey Central Power and Light (JCP&L) that more than 1,200 customers will have power restored in the township between Nov. 3 and Nov. 4.
The company released the projected timeline to Gov. Chris Christie, who released the data to the public on Nov. 3. PSEG and Atlantic City Electric also released their plans. The restoration projections are for the next few days at the municipal level.
According to the Governor’s Office, as of 7 a.m. Nov. 3, more than 1.269 million customers remained without power statewide. 2.7 million New Jersey customers had lost power during Superstorm Sandy and its immediate aftermath.
Saturday, Gov. Christie said, "So many New Jerseyans have demonstrated significant patience and resilience through the storm and this initial recovery period."
As of Nov. 2, East Windsor officials were unsure when power would be fully restored throughout the township post Hurricane Sandy.
A few towns away, some reports came in that Princeton would regain power on Tuesday, while other places, like three schools in Bordentown City, lost power at 10 a.m. Thursday, possibly due to a substation issue, after regaining it Wednesday for the first time since the storm.
"JCP&L is not communicating any status, progress or timelines at this time," an East Windsor Township alert from officials on Hurricane Sandy stated Nov. 2. "Since Thursday mid-day, we have received no information whatsoever.
"This is really not an appropriate strategy by JCP&L, and we are as frustrated as our residents."
Power was restored Thursday night, for the first time since the storm, to the municipal building in East Windsor.
As of Friday, Kreps Middle School remained without power. Schools were closed Monday through Friday this week.
"I am pleased to report that we now have power in five of our six schools," said Edward Forsthoffer, superintendent of East Windsor Regional School District, on Nov. 2. "However, some of the western parts of East Windsor are still without power and this includes the Melvin H. Kreps School.
"The utility companies are working diligently to repair the problem but I am unable to make a decision related to Monday until I know whether or not we will have power," Mr. Forsthoffer said, noting that he would let parents know by Sunday if classes would resume on Monday.
The New Jersey Education Association canceled its annual teacher convention scheduled for Nov. 8 and Nov. 9.
"Assuming that we have power restored in all schools, we will have school next Thursday and Friday to make up for two of the days we lost this week," Mr. Forsthoffer said. "I realize that this may cause some hardships for people who have scheduled trips during this time. We will work with all staff that can provide documentation of having non-refundable reservations that were made prior to the storm. Likewise, we will not penalize students who have scheduled out of town trips."
Also, the Nov. 2 East Windsor alert advised folks to limit evening drives as much as possible.
As for the trail Sandy left behind, "Several roadways remain affected due to downed poles and wires, including Dutch Neck Road at Drew Lanell," the East Windsor alert said.
"Some traffic signals remain without power, and we encourage drivers to proceed with great caution."
Limited quantities of water and ice are available for distribution to East Windsor residents at Volunteer Fire Company No. 2, 69 Twin Rivers Dr. Until power is restored, residents can also charge cell phones and smartphones there from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
“It’s going to go on as long as needed,” said Chief Barry Rashkin of East Windsor Volunteer Fire Company No. 2 on Nov. 1.
Most of Twin Rivers remained without power on Thursday, he said.
“Don’t burn any candles in the house, go out and get flash lights,” Chief Rashkin said, noting that generators should be kept away from houses as they create carbon monoxide.