Politics & Government

Storm Clean Up Costing Maplewood Big Bucks

The Township Committee approved an emergency contract for $110,000 last night; costs are also piling up in overtime.

Updated: At 4 p.m. Nov. 15, Gov. Chris Christie's office announced that the governor is seeking a Major Disaster Declaration from the federal government for eleven New Jersey counties sustaining damage as a result of a strong, unseasonable storm that brought early snow, heavy rain, and high winds to the state on October 29, 2011. A letter outlining the state’s application — a request for Bergen, Cape May, Essex, Hunterdon, Middlesex, Morris, Passaic, Somerset, Sussex, Union and Warren counties, was sent to President Barack Obama through the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

Last night, the Maplewood Township Committee approved an emergency contract for $110,000 for hauling away trees and branches from the Oct. 29 snowstorm, but the costs are even greater, said Mayor Vic DeLuca, with no sign of emergency aid on the horizon.

DeLuca reported at the Monday, Nov. 14 meeting that a first sweep of the town to clear storm debris had been made in every area except Washington Park, half of Hickory Drive and the area above Wyoming Avenue. DeLuca said that debris in those areas would be cleared by Tuesday evening, Nov. 15. He said that the town would begin leaf removal starting in the Hilton neighborhood by Thursday, Nov. 17 and then review the leaf pickup schedule and adjust it as necessary.

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The mayor said that, since the storm, Public Works employees have been on a 6-day-a-week schedule — a service that would cost the town in terms of overtime. Three trucks are out at all times clearing 300 cubic yards of debris a day, said the mayor. One crew is dedicated to cutting down "hangers" — branches dangling from wires or from trees. "There is no space at DPW," said DeLuca, and the town must pay to have debris hauled out of town. He said that a contractor had been brought in to clear the parks.

DeLuca noted that no move had been made to declare the storm a federal disaster and that the governor had not indicated that any state relief funds would be made available.

Find out what's happening in Maplewoodwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

"I hope residents understand that this is very expensive," said DeLuca.


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