Mtown News Flash 9-23-11

Monday, 9-26 Public Hearing on Electric Company Hurricane Response
The New Jersey Board of Public Utilities has scheduled two public hearings, to be held on Sept. 26 and Sept. 27, 2011, for the purpose of soliciting comments from members of the public, elected officials, representative of the State's four regulated electric distribution companies ("EDCs") and all others regarding the state of preparedness and responsiveness of the EDCs prior to, during and after Hurricane Irene.  

Governor Christie directed the Board to hold public hearings and to review all aspects of the EDCs plans and response to the hurricane.  The Board has scheduled the following hearings in the regions where the majority of complaints originated.  Additional hearings are being planned.  Details on those hearings will be released when the hearing dates and locations are finalized.

Date:         September 26, 2011
Location:    Monmouth County Library – Headquarters
                 125 Symmes Drive, Manalapan, NJ 07726-324
                  (use Reserved Meeting Room Parking – off Alexander Dr.) 
                  Directions - go to www.monmouthcountylib.org
Time:         4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. (End time will be extended if needed)

Date:         Tuesday, September 27, 2011
Location:    Morris County Public Safety Training Academy, 
                  500 West Hanover Avenue, Morris Plains
                  (for GPS input Morris County Public Safety Training Academy  
                  Directions – go to www.morrisacademy.org
Time:          4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. (End time will be extended if needed)

Written comments may also be submitted via email to board.secretary@bpu.state.nj.us or in writing to: Kristi Izzo, Secretary of the Board, Board of Public Utilities, P.O. Box 350Trenton, NJ 08625-0350. Please reference Hurricane Irene comments in subject matter for emails and in the heading of any written correspondence. Comments will be accepted until October 28, 2011.

 

Monday, 9-26 Oceanic Bridge Info Session Moves to MAC
Monday September 26, 2011, 7:00 - 8:30 pm
MIDDLETOWN ARTS CENTER
36 Church Street, Middletown, NJ 07748 

Monmouth County Division of Engineering, in cooperation with the North Jersey Transportation Planning Authority, the New Jersey Department of Transportation, and the Federal Highway Administration, will be holding Public Information Centers to discuss the replacement alternatives of Oceanic Bridge (CR 8A, Bingham Avenue – Locust Point Road Bridge S-31) over Navesink River located between the Borough of Rumson and the Township of Middletown. 

The purpose of the Public Information Center is to inform the public of the alternatives and to solicit public input and comment.  These meetings are being conducted in conformance with Federal and State regulations including the Section 106 consultation process.  The public is invited and encouraged to comment on the project.

Written comments will be accepted through Wednesday, October 26, 2011.  Comments may be mailed or faxed to: Inkyung Englehart, Monmouth County Engineering, Hall of Records Annex, 3rd floor, One East Main Street, Freehold, NJ  07728Fax:  732-431-7765

 

Equipment Permit Fees Waived to Ease Storm Recovery
The Middletown Township Committee is waiving permit fees for residents who need to repair or replace equipment damaged as a result of Hurricane Irene. Fees will be waived for permits requested from August 29 through the close of business September 30 to repair and/or replace of service-related equipment such as water heaters, furnaces, air conditioners, pumps, and service panels. Under normal circumstances, if a resident removes and replaces any of those items, there's a permit fee to cover the cost of a township inspector who determines if the replacement was installed to code. For more information contact the Building Department at 732-615-2104.

 

Register for FEMA Disaster Assistance
A FEMA Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) has been established in the Leonardo section of Middletown at the Henry Hudson Trail Activity Center, 945 Route 36. The office will be open seven days a week from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. until further notice. Before visiting the DRC, residents and business owners who sustained losses should register by calling between 6 a.m. and 1 a.m. daily to 1-800-621-FEMA (3362), or for the speech or hearing impaired TTY 1-800-462-7585, online anytime at www.disasterassistance.gov or www.fema.gov or via mobile phone application m.fema.gov.FEMA assistance can include grants for temporary housing, home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses, and other programs to help individuals and business owners recover from the effects of the disaster.

 

Take Precautions Against Mosquitoes in Wake of Heavy Rains
The Department of Environmental Protection and Department of Health and Senior Services are urging State residents to take precautions to protect themselves from mosquito-borne West Nile virus by taking some simple steps to reduce populations of the insect on their own properties.

Late summer and early fall are typically the most critical times of the year to be aware of the potential for the dangers of contracting West Nile virus from mosquito bites. Mosquito activity can continue until late October. Mosquitoes also can become more active throughout the entire day at this time of year.

Concerns are elevated this year because many areas of the State are still wet as a result of excessive rainfall over the late summer resulting largely from Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee. Wet areas serve as breeding grounds for mosquitoes.

In response, the State has stepped up its air surveillance of potential mosquito breeding grounds and aircraft pesticide applications to proactively reduce the threat of impacts to people. The state also has been working closely with county mosquito control programs to help them identify and respond to mosquito outbreaks in a timely manner.

DHSS has identified four human cases of West Nile virus so far this year, with no fatalities. They were in Mercer, Middlesex, Morris and Ocean counties. The Morris County exposure to West Nile virus occurred outside of New Jersey. DHSS also reported that 25 birds have died from confirmed cases of West Nile virus in Gloucester, Monmouth, Morris, Ocean, Somerset and Warren counties. Last year, there were 30 human case of West Nile virus in New Jersey, including two deaths.

The DEP offers the following tips on how to limit mosquitoes on your property:

• Dispose of tin cans, plastic containers, ceramic pots or similar water-holding containers that have accumulated on your property.
• Pay special attention to discarded tires that may have accumulated. The used tire has become the most important domestic mosquito producer in this country.
• Drill holes in the bottom and elevate recycling containers that are left out of doors.
   
• Clean clogged roof gutters on an annual basis, particularly if the leaves from surrounding trees have a tendency to plug up the drains. Roof gutters are easily overlooked but can produce millions of mosquitoes each season.
• Turn over plastic wading pools when not in use. A wading pool becomes a mosquito producer if it is not used on a regular basis.
• Turn over wheelbarrows and do not allow water to stagnate in bird baths.
   
• Aerate ornamental pools or stock them with fish. Water gardens are fashionable but become major mosquito producers if they are allowed to stagnate.
• Clean and chlorinate swimming pools that are not being used. A swimming pool that is left untended can produce enough mosquitoes to result in neighborhood-wide complaints. Be aware mosquitoes may even breed in the water that collects on pool covers.
• Use landscaping to eliminate standing water that collects on your property. Mosquitoes will develop in any puddle that lasts more than four days.
   
• Maintain mechanical barriers, such as window and door screens, to prevent mosquitoes from entering buildings. Barriers over rain barrels or cistern and septic pipes will deny female mosquitoes the opportunity to lay eggs on water.
• If you have problems controlling mosquitoes, contact your county mosquito control agency by calling 888-666-5968.

For more DEP information visit: www.nj.gov/dep/mosquito
Visit the State Department of Health and Senior Services: www.state.nj.us/health/cd/westnile
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