Downtown escaped major power outages
By Jen Samuel, Managing Editor
HIGHTSTOWN — Days before Superstorm Sandy made landfall, measures were taken to lower Peddie Lake as Public Works, volunteers and business owners worked to minimize the potential damage it could inflict upon the downtown.
That Saturday, Oct. 27, the megastorm was moving up the East Coast and, at that time, massive rainfall was anticipated. While Sandy brought less rain than expected, it carried strong winds that brought trees and power lines down throughout the borough.
After the storm, a reception center was set up for borough residents from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily at the Hightstown Engine No. 1 firehouse. Residents were able to use a recharging station as well as a heated area to keep warm.
Mayor Steven Kirson told the Herald that more than 90 percent of the borough was without power in the aftermath of Superstorm Sandy.
”It was unbelievable — the wind,” Mayor Kirson said Tuesday.
Business Administrator Michael Theokas said that, according to Public Works, the storm created 1,200 to 1,500 yards of vegetative waste in the borough.
”It was a long four to five days for everyone,” Mr. Theokas said.
The Hightstown Diner, Americana Diner, Tavern on the Lake and the Peddie School provided food for workers and volunteers over the course of last week, borough officials said.
Hightstown nonessential offices were closed the day of the storm, including bulk pickup.
”Residents are advised to take extreme caution and take all preventative measures possible and heed all warnings in regards to the impending storm,” the borough website stated Sunday, Oct. 28.
The storm impacted 50 million Americans. About 2.7 million residents lost power in New Jersey.
”We are doing everything we can with our emergency management plan and our resources to ensure safety and minimize any possible damages,” said Mr.Theokas the Friday before the storm.
An emergency reception center was set up at the Hightstown High School gymnasium during the storm, according to the borough website.
Gov. Chris Christie declared a state of emergency throughout New Jersey ahead of Hurricane Sandy reaching the Garden State.
”I am urging all New Jerseyans to take every possible and reasonable precaution to ready themselves for the storm’s potential impact,” Gov. Chris Christie said prior to the storm.
Hurricane Sandy hit New Jersey 14 months after Hurricane Irene devastated Hightstown’s downtown. Borough Hall never reopened after Irene, and its future is the topic of frequent debates at council meetings.
The municipal government now operates out of the Public Works building on Bank Street. The Police Department relocated from its old facilities once adjacent to the Borough Hall.
”We are now seeing power coming back in different parts of town,” Mayor Kirson said Nov. 1. “Things are starting to normalize.”
The mayor added that during the storm, Hightstown Engine Fire Co. No. 1 members at the station “were ready to roll” to help residents as needed.
”Downtown never lost power,” Mayor Kirson said. “The restaurants have been busy.”
Ahead of Sandy, “We were meeting continuously the week prior to the storm,” he added.
”We had truckloads of sand delivered,” Mayor Kirson said prior to the storm.
He noted Peddie School students, as many as 70, came downtown Oct. 26 and Oct. 27 to make hundreds of sandbags to help protect businesses and municipal infrastructure.
Last week, East Windsor Public Works sent some of its personnel to help to remove leaves from the borough’s storm drains, Mayor Kirson said.
”They came in and helped us out, which was greatly appreciated,” the mayor said.
Tuesday, he said, “We were fully prepared.”
Mayor Kirson added, “Mother Nature was somewhat kind to us.”

