By John Tredrea, Special Writer
A super storm, known as “Sandy,” slammed into this area during the evening of Oct. 29 and left many without power for days.
Many Jersey Central Power & Light customers still were living in the dark with no heat as this paper went to press. When the storm arrived, it was warm outside. As of Wednesday, it was not.
Compared to those who live at or own property on the Jersey Shore, this area fared well.
How did “Sandy” effect local towns and people?
Lambertville
Electric power was beginning to be restored to parts of Lambertville early this afternoon, city Clerk Cindy Ege said Monday.
”Some people are starting to get it back on Elm Street, South Franklin Street and Bridge Street,” Ms. Ege said.
She said she had no timetable for when power might be restored to the rest of the city. Lambertville gets its power from Jersey Central Power and Light (JCP&L).
A 10 p.m. curfew is in effect in the city until power is restored. Trick or treating has been canceled in Lambertville due to the problems with electric power.
For Election Day (Tuesday), Ms. Ege said voting was slated to take place in the regular polling places. Some towns in the state have had to switch polling stations to new locations due to the storm.
There were no injuries in the city due to Hurricane Sandy, Ms. Ege reported.
”We’ve been very lucky,” she said, adding that no streets in the city are closed due to the storm. She noted, however, that portions of some roads near the city, such as Goat Hill Road, are closed in places due to the storm.
Public water and sewer service ran normally during the storm and continue to do so, she said. “They’ve been running on generators,” she added.
Lambertville Public School was closed Tuesday. “We are hopeful that power will be returned today,” said Superintendent Michael Kozak Tuesday.
The Kalmia Club had to cancel its benefit Artisans/Crafters Show, which was slated for Nov. 3 and 4.
Getting fuel for vehicles and generators has been a problem throughout the northeast due to Sandy. Area officials reported that the following stations had fuel available, as of Monday.
Heath’s Exxon in Lambertville (83 Bridge St.) was pumping gas only.
Nearby Pennsylvania stations that had gas included: R&R Liberty, 290 W State St., Doylestown (215-348 2800); Texaco, 2140 York Road, Jamison (215-343-7711); New Hope Lukoil, 350 W. Bridge St. (215-862-5350); and WAWA, 5854 Easton Road, Pipersville (215-766-1620).
Gas rationing
Gov. Chris Christie has implemented an odd-even license plate gas purchase regulation. For instance, those who want to get gas on Nov. 9 must have license plates ending in odd numbers.
The Executive Order reads: “A limited state of energy emergency with regard to the supply of motor fuel exists in the following counties: Bergen, Essex, Hudson, Hunterdon, Middlesex, Morris, Monmouth, Passaic, Somerset, Sussex, Union, and Warren.
West Amwell
Due to loss of electric power in West Amwell Township, voting on Election Day took place at the West Amwell Fire Company, at 24 Mt. Airy Village Road, township Clerk Lora Olsen said Monday.
Ms. Olsen added that, as of Monday afternoon, the township was almost completely without electric power.
”We have had power come back on in a few fringe areas of the township, but that’s it for now,” she said. “We have no idea when the rest of the township will get power back. Maybe Wednesday or Thursday.”
Like Lambertville, Stockton and the nearly Titusville area of Hopewell Township. West Amwell gets its power from Jersey Central Power and Light (JCP&L).
Schools in the township were closed Monday due to the loss of power, she added.
West Amwell Elementary also was closed Tuesday, but Superintendent Michael Kozak said “We are hopeful that power will be returned today (Tuesday).”
South Hunterdon Regional High School also remained closed on Tuesday.
A Township Committee meeting originally scheduled for Oct. 30 was rescheduled to Nov. 5 and was held, Ms. Olsen said.
The clerk said she knew of no reports of any injuries in West Amwell due to the storm.
Hunterdon County opened a shelter at the Hunterdon County Complex, building 1, Route 12 in Flemington, officials said. The shelter is heated, has showers, and is open to all.
Stockton
Borough Clerk/Administrator Michele Hovan said Monday afternoon that the borough still had no electric power. She said she was not aware of any major issues regarding roads in the borough.
Voting on Election Day was held at the firehouse, which was powered by an emergency generator.
Stockton Borough School was open Tuesday and operating on a generator, according to Suzanne Ivans, chief school administrator.
The school’s boiler is collected to the generator and so there was heat for the children. Because the school is an old building, it has large windows and lots of natural; light, which helps, she said.
New Hope
The New Hope Chamber of Commerce reported Monday that stores had started to reopen.
”This historic storm has brought unprecedented disruption to our area, and just as residents are beginning to see power restored and roads clear, so are a good number of the local businesses, markets, general stores and restaurants,” a Chamber spokesperson said.
”In any ordinary week, these establishments help give our area its unique character, increase the diversity and quality of the food on our tables and drive the local economy. This week we can add one more virtue — many of them are open. As power is restored and we begin restocking the fridge, the pantry and the emergency drawer, consider calling on local merchants. They’re more likely to be stocked and open, and they are our neighbors.”
The Nov. 1 New Hope Historical Society’s open house at the Parry Mansion was canceled. No new date has been set.
Solebury Township
An official of neighboring Solebury Township reported Tuesday that all roads are open.
”Hurricane Sandy caused widespread damage along the East Coast, causing power interruptions for more than 9 million customers along the East Coast and locally to more than 850,000 PECO customers — making Sandy the most damaging storm in company history.
”Working around-the-clock for a week, PECO has safely restored service to more than 99 percent of the customers impacted by the storm. Based on the current assessment of remaining damage impacting customers, we expect to have all remaining customers restored by late tonight.
”As of 4 a.m. Tuesday, crews had safely restored service to more than 848,000 customers. About 2,000 customers are without service at this time — including 1,000 in Bucks County.
”We also are monitoring a Nor’easter that could impact the region as early as Wednesday, potentially bringing snow, heavy rain and strong winds to the area. PECO’s Emergency Response Center will remain open to monitor the storm.
”Since Hurricane Sandy moved out of our region, PECO field forces have completed more than 15,000 repair jobs.
The hardest hit areas in Bucks County included Lower Makefield, Solebury, Bristol, and Northampton townships.
Generator safety
On the issue of generator safety, officials said there have been incidents in the area involving carbon monoxide poisoning due to generators being operated in garages, on porches and other enclosed spaces. Residents and merchants are urged to exercise extreme caution in using generators. Make sure they are placed outside away from garages, windows and doors. Always add fuel when the engine is turned off and wipe up any spills immediately. Be safe and read the directions and follow all safety precautions.

