Politics & Government

Utility Infrastructure Upgrades in McKeon Bill Package

Legislation intended to strengthen safety in future disasters will be unveiled Tuesday in South Orange.

Assemblyman John F. McKeon (D-27th District) will join mayors from towns in the district at a news conference in South Orange Tuesday to announce a package of bills intended to improve infrastructure in the wake of Hurricane Sandy. 

The conference begins at 11 a.m. at the South Orange Department of Public Works (DPW) facility, 300 Walton Ave., according to a press release. 

South Orange Village President Alex Torpey, South Orange Department of Public Works Director Tom Michetti, Madison Mayor Robert H. Conley and Millburn Mayor Sandra Haimoff will attend, as will Assemb. Mila M. Jasey (D-Essex/Morris).

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“While New Jersey was reeling from the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy, the worst storm to batter the mid-Atlantic and ravage the East Coast in recent history, and which knocked out power from more than 8.5 million homes and businesses, many lessons were learned on how to improve safety in future disasters,” McKeon said in the release. “We were also made increasingly aware of the countless hidden dangers faced by our brave utility line personnel and first responders tasked with rescue and relief operations."

He continued, “As we worked collectively with area mayors, emergency management officials and representatives of utilities on joint efforts to assist storm ravaged constituents, we were able to identify and craft legislation to strengthen safety in utility infrastructure and mitigate future damage statewide. The bills we will unveil on Tuesday are also intended to minimize the danger to our brave utility line personnel and emergency first responders who perform the highest possible public service by putting themselves in harms way to save others.”

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

The 27th Legislative District includes the following municipalities: Caldwell, Chatham Township, East Hanover, Essex Fells, Florham Park, Livingston, Hanover, Harding, Madison, Maplewood, Millburn, Roseland, South Orange and West Orange.


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