Power Restoration Key in Cedar Grove, Verona

Officials in both Verona and Cedar Grove are working hard to get power back on in both townships as the storm recovery now enters its second week.

In Cedar Grove on Tuesday, Mayor Peter Tanella said there are 76 township residents waiting for power to return.

“The only remaining pockets are Ridge Court, Todd Terrace and Rugby Road,” he said. “The library is being worked on, Tanella added, which should fix the problem for about eight to 10 houses on Rugby Road.”

PSE&G has developed a six-day work plan to get the remaining residents back on the grid. However, residents who have damage to their individual power lines connected to their home fall outside of that six-day work plan.

“Coming from someone who still doesn't have power, I am very thankful and appreciative for the job PSE&G has done,” Tanella said at Monday night’s township council meeting. “That being said I think PSE&G needs to look at themselves to figure out how to develop a quicker response time.”

“My house was 37 degrees this morning,” he added. “I feel for those residents who are outside the six-day work plan. They are PSE&G customers and it is unacceptable in this day and age to have people without power for two weeks or more.”

In Verona, police estimate 90 percent of the township is up and running.

“Power to the township has improved significantly,” police said in a recent alert to residents. “We now estimate that approximately 10 percent of our residences and businesses are still without power.”

Township officials reiterated gas stations are running on an alternating schedule of odd and even rationing system. Vehicle license plates ending in an odd number can be filled on odd calendar days and even plates on even days.

As of Monday, the Sunoco at the corner of Pompton Avenue and Cambridge Road, as well as the Exxon on Bloomfield Avenue and Mt. Prospect Avenue were up and running. Sunoco has only Ultra Unleaded gasoline and Exxon has all grades, police said.

Police also reminded residents:

• To place storm debris at the curb on the resident's property. Do not place debris in the street or on the sidewalk, police said.
• To replace batteries in burglar and fire alarms. They are also urging residents to have their alarms serviced to make sure they are working properly.

Residents who need to file a claim with FEMA can do so here.