'Slow But Steady' Recovery in Hackettstown

While some residences in Hackettstown have had power restored Wednesday, along with a stretch of building on Willow Grove Street–including the Hackettstown Regional Medical Center–some 1,932 customers were still without power as of 3 p.m.

To the west, Mansfield Township has 3,574 residences in the dark; Independence Township has 2,024 powerless; and the neighbors to the east in Mt. Olive have a startling 10,638 without electricity, according to Jersey Central Power & Light’s outage map.

Hackettstown officials are making as much heat, electricity and other resources available to residents as possible, while Department of Public Works and police officers work around the clock to keep the town safe.

“Every available officer is now working,” Mayor Maria DiGiovanni said. “We’re trying to open shelters and keep residents safe.”

The municipal building is open until 5 p.m. for residents to warm up and charge electronic devices, the mayor said. The Hackettstown Library is also open and has WiFi access until 9 p.m.

As of 5 p.m. Wednesday, Trinity Church on Main Street will be open to residents to use as an overnight shelter. Those coming to Trinity will need to bring their own blankets and pillows, food, and no pets are permitted, DiGiovanni said.

Mountain Avenue, full of businesses offering food and gas, is still without power, without a timetable for restoration, according to Sgt. Darren Tynan.

Roads are slowly but surely being cleared of trees and downed power lines, “but it’s a slow but steady process,” Tynan said.

Centenary College will open its doors on Thursday and Friday, Nov. 1 and 2 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Reeves Gym for residents to use the shower facilities. This is available for Hackettstown residents only, and identification is necessary. Officials ask those coming use the Lackland Center parking lot at the Grand Avenue entrance.

Hackettstown Public Schools will also be closed again on Thursday, Nov. 1, according to police.

For more information on Hurricane Sandy’s impact on Hackettstown, go here.