JACKSON – Township officials reviewed the damage done and repair efforts made during Tropical Storm Isaias as they look ahead to the potential of more storms during the hurricane season.
Mayor Michael Reina said during a recent council meeting that he joined Gov. Phil Murphy and JCP&L representatives on a tour of the township the morning after the storm to evaluate the damage to the town that required repair work to power lines.
“You shouldn’t have to wait for a storm to realize the importance of how our township comes together. Jackson Township continues to come out and support itself no matter what happens. This was a short storm that was supposed to blow out to the coast and just supposed to bother the seaboard communities but it wallops Jackson. Our first responders went out and did what they had to do,” the mayor added.
“The linemen on the street did the same thing. I am constantly thanking our first responders as I do those in the United States military for their service. These people leave their family and the comfort of their own home and they never know what they are going to go into. The dangers are the ones we don’t see like a live wire in a tree,” Reina added.
The mayor noted some people had some comments about his joining the governor on the tour in Jackson. Reina has been critical of some of the decisions and policies made by Murphy regarding the COVID-19 pandemic shut down and gradual reopening of the state.
Mayor Reina said, “there is no secret that the governor and I disagree politically over policies but the governor decided to come to Jackson to survey damage along with JCP&L. Could they have done a better job? The governor said ‘yes.’”
“They (Jersey Central Power & Light) did what they had to do and they got power back. Unfortunately there were incidents where the situation was so bad that people didn’t get power back until (days later). It looks like we have a very active hurricane season and it is important to be prepared. Be advised and take the necessary precautions because anything can happen.” Reina added.
Councilman Steve Chisholm described the situation saying residents had a “rough week, myself included” during the storm. “I was told that JCP&L had a lot of out of state workers come in to assist. Thanks to all our first responders for keeping the traffic flowing and directing things while the lights were out.”
Councilman Martin Flemming said the short but intense storm that swept through Jackson caused some degree of interruption. He said fire companies responded to 151 alarms. “While most of those alarms were for wires being down Station 56 and 57 did respond to an involved structure fire in our own town as well as Station 55 going to Lakewood at an involved commercial building.”
“Station 55 also responded to assist with another structure fire in Howell. Our First Aid Squad responded to 59 calls on their own. Police assisted with every fire call we had. I’d like to commend all our emergency service organizations for a job well done and to remind everyone that these organizations are largely volunteer and could always use new members,” Flemming added.
Council President Andrew Kern also commended emergency response organizations “for working so hard during the storm. I want to thank the administration and the Department of Public Works for all the work crews that have spent many hours to make our roads safe to use.”
“Great job to the DPW who worked on clearing the side roads and all the town employees who were dealing with the emergency,” resident Richard Egan said during the public comment session.
Flemming also brought up that there has been considerable resident dissatisfaction with their cable and phone services which is provided by Optimum, a company of Altice. He noted interruptions in cable and Wi-Fi services. During the current pandemic that is requiring internet service for some residents to work and students to be taught remotely, it was paramount such service be functional.
The township has filed a formal complaint with the company and has set a date to meet regarding the problems, according to the councilman.
He said this was done to “get the service we need and deserve. If the solution does not come in a certain period of time we will need to increase the pressure to make it right.”
A link has been added to the township’s website at nj-jacksontownship.civicplus.com/ for residents to file complaints about their service and share specifics about their own specific problems.
“So far there has only been minimal complaints lodged but I urge residents to go to the website and make your voice heard,” Flemming added.
There were no ordinances introduced during the council’s Aug. 11 meeting though a resolution that would have authorized a contract for supplemental snow plowing services between Jackson and A&M Harrision Construction effective Jan. 1, 2021 through Dec. 31, 2022 had been removed from the night’s agenda “for further consideration,” Township Clerk Janice Kisty noted.
Among the resolutions approved were the purchase of five 2021 police interceptor SUV vehicles in the amount of $168,338.75 from Beyer Ford for the police department.
Also approved was a contract award to Mavron Inc. in the amount of $24,682 for an animal transport conversion package for the department of animal control.
Council also authorized the purchase of electronic equipment from Wireless Electronics, Inc. in the amount of $38,164.75 for five police vehicles.
