Council Supports Utilities Investigation, Approves New Telephone System

Council approved three resolutions related to Hurricane Irene Monday night, dealing with the replacement of the borough’s telephone system and repair of an alarm system, an investigation into the conduct of JCP&L, and commending emergency personnel and volunteers for their work during and after the storm.

Councilman Alan Lesnewich introduced a resolution that commends Municipal Offices, Police, Fire, EMT personnel and unpaid volunteers for their work on a local and state level, and supporting the Board of Public Utilities’ investigation into the actions taken by JCP&L before and after the hurricane.

“There were some problems with the utility companies so Lee Solomon, President of the Board of Public Utilities, has vowed to hold hearings and look into the conduct of the utilities during that crisis and try to come up with some answers to find out what happened because there were so many people left without power,” Lesnewich said.

In a draft of the resolution, it states that Solomon said if the review, which will include public hearings, indicates that adequate preparations were not made before the storm and adequate resources were not dedicated to deal with the aftermath of the storm, then the BPU will hold the utilities company accountable.

Mayor J. Brooke Hern expressed his support for the resolution, stating that in the aftermath of the storm, he and several borough employees were in touch with JCP&L on a constant basis, trying to get answers, and most information they received was inaccurate. After meeting with the Mayors of Berkeley Heights and Summit, Hern said those towns were faced with the same situation.

“We were being told the lights were on when it was far from the case. We had a situation on Division Avenue where there were live power lines down … through Wednesday until they were turned on,” Hern said. “Assemblyman Bramnick held a meeting with mayors in this area with the president of JCP&L, and we were talking to him, trying to get answers and trying to get them moving, and that was Friday after the storm.”

Hern said it was only with continued pressure on JCP&L that Division Avenue was cleared and re-powered, he and mayors in area towns finally got answers, and JCP&L really got moving on problem areas in the borough.

“They didn’t even know which houses were in our town so I think there’s a clear indication that JCP&L was ill prepared and I support that investigation,” he said.

Council President Michael Gennaro recused himself from the discussion and vote because potential parties that are subject to criticism are clients at the company he works for.

Council also approved a resolution that awarded a contract to Telecorp Inc. to replace the Municipal Center telephone system, which was damaged during Hurricane Irene, at a cost of $31,852.

Although this action has already been taken because the police department’s phone system was impacted and the department was without normal service for days following the hurricane, Gennaro said the purpose of the resolution was to ratify “an action that was already taken under emergency conditions."

“What happened was during Irene, we had several roof leaks. One of them happened to be right over our telephone switch equipment,” Gennaro said. “Moisture got into the equipment and damaged some of the circuit boards. Unfortunately, the equipment was so old that replacement of the circuit boards just didn’t make sense.”

Gennaro said Borough Administrator Doug Marvin sent council members an email, informing them of the situation and allowing them to comment before the system was purchased.

Councilman Jim Cucco asked if the $31,852 would be reimbursed through the borough’s insurance company, and Marvin said he is expecting 100 percent reimbursement.

“We had the adjusters come out and confirm that we have coverage for it,” Marvin said.

Councilman Vincas Vyzas asked if the borough could seek a claim under FEMA if they did not receive reimbursement through insurance company, and Marvin said that would be an option.

Gennaro also said if reimbursement is not received, the borough has funds to cover the cost.

Cucco also introduced a resolution to repair a borough alarm system that was also damaged during the hurricane and would cost $3,754.98, which council approved.

Overall, Hern commended the borough’s Emergency Management team on a job well done during and after the hurricane.

“Our Emergency Management Team had everything in place before the storm, they were ready to act, they worked through the night,” Hern said. “Even in the days after, our Department of Public Works, our Police and our Fire Department were very busy. It was a tremendous undertaking. Let’s remember that our Fire Department [consists of] unpaid volunteers, going around and helping their neighbors, and they are to be commended. I don’t know what we’d do without these folks but speaking on behalf of everyone up here, we really appreciate it.”