The Washington Township School District is keeping its doors closed Wednesday and Thursday, and saying Friday "doesn't look promising" to reopen either.
The announcement came just before 3 p.m. Tuesday, when more than 3,900 residences and three of the four schools in town remained without power.
In the Honeywell message, Superintendent Jeff Mohre said:
Following consultation with the Washington Township Police, we regret having to report that little has changed here in the township. As of this morning, 82% of our homes were without power and 3 of our 4 schools remain dark. Downed power lines, trees, and poles continue to require much attention from utility companies.
As a result, school will remain closed both Wednesday and Thursday. Friday does not look promising, but we are hopeful that significant progress can be made. Needless to say, the impending rain storm will most likely hamper the restoration effort.
In addition to closed schools, the district has postponed its parent-teacher conferences, originally scheduled to begin next week, to allow for full school days, Mohre said.
Wednesday and Thursday mark the eight and ninth consecutive days the district has been closed.
A message will be made Thursday afternoon concerning Friday's opening.
Tracey Hos
3:36 pm on Tuesday, November 6, 2012
There are significant safety concerns in Long Valley. No school for two weeks = serious issue. No power for 8 days and no detailed information known = serious issue. However, trees dangling on wires and low hanging wires = serious safety life/death concerns. Right now a fire truck or ambulance could not make it to my house in an emergency. This is unacceptable...I'm not looking for power (although would be nice) but hey JCPL and town officials when will you begin to even address the serious safety issues spread across the valley? Roads are not passable and people are taking chances they shouldn't with driving under trees and around wires. Are you sure that resources from other areas of the state that have 80% of their power restored cannot be redeployed to LV to address our SAFETY (not power) issues?
Sman
3:41 pm on Tuesday, November 6, 2012
Massive failure of our local Government. I would say that there are grounds for potential litigation.
bill
3:43 pm on Tuesday, November 6, 2012
I just heard a rumour that LV will be out of power till Thanksgiving? Any truth that?
Sman
3:46 pm on Tuesday, November 6, 2012
I can tell you Naughright near 46 has downed power lines and transformers on the ground from my last visit. Schools closed for rest of week (no way they are opening on Friday). I don't know about Thanksgiving, but hard to swallow that we'll be up no later than tomorrow, which was the plan for most. Where is Mayor Short and why the heck is he not saying or doing anything? Give us updates? Tell us you are pushing JCP&L...at least layout what you are doing about escalating to State Gov't....
Karen
5:58 pm on Tuesday, November 6, 2012
He is giving updates on WRNJ radio.
Lisa
6:21 pm on Tuesday, November 6, 2012
Listen to WRNJ. He has been giving updates more than once a day about all that is being done to help people in the town with power and other issues.
Angelo
7:46 pm on Tuesday, November 6, 2012
Finally, this afternoon, mayor's updates started being posted on the twp website www.wtmorris.org
Sman
9:14 am on Wednesday, November 7, 2012
I can appreciate radio updates, however, there are tons of other channels that are far more reaching...Facebook, Twitter, the web site above (seems like content is there now)...etc. Many other townships are using modern channels for communications...it is an expectation and does not take much effort.