Message from Tenafly Mayor Rustin – Nov 1

11/1/2012 10:50:35 AM EST – Good morning, this is Mayor Peter Rustin speaking to Tenafly residents with an update on our recovery efforts in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy. We are urging residents to stay in their homes unless it is absolutely necessary to travel. We still have many trees blocking roads; these trees have wires that are potentially live which precludes our workers from touching them. We are in the same position we were in last year in that we must wait for Public Service to certify the wires and trees are safe to remove. Our Police, Fire and Ambulance Corp have been working tirelessly to keep our town safe and our DPW has been clearing and cleaning roads wherever safety allows. We appreciate and applaud our resident’s patience in these trying matters.

Please listen carefully to the following information:

1) Garbage pickup is following normal schedules.
2) Recycling pickup is following normal schedules.
3) The recycling center is currently closed as it does not have power
4) Borough Hall does not yet have phone service but we do have internet. Communicate with Borough Hall by email
5) The Police Department can be reached by phone and 9-1-1 service is working. Please keep calls to a minimum whenever possible.
6) Tenafly Public Schools will remain closed today and tomorrow.
7) Residents can come down to the Police Station and charge electronic devices.
8) Residents and landscapers may bring storm debris to the curb; please do not block streets; if your street is narrow; please leave debris curbside but not in the street.
9) Most important, do not mix leaves with tree branches as it will not be picked up. Leaves must be piled up separately.
10) Plans for Election Day next Tuesday will allow all residents the opportunity to vote; residents will be directed where to vote by next Monday as it is possible some normal polling places will not be open.
11) Gasoline supplies are currently extremely slim. This is another reason why all unnecessary travel should be avoided. Gas stations either have no power or no gas or both. When that situation will change is unknown at this time.

Once again we urge all residents to stay home. Walking and jogging is not encouraged because trees and branches weakened by the storm are still falling and many trees and branches are being held up only by power lines. We assure you that we are channeling all of our manpower and resources into bringing Tenafly back to normal as quickly as possible and keeping all of our residents safe in the meantime. Thank you for your patience and understanding.