FIVE SCHOOLS OPEN MONDAY, IS YOURS?

This from the school district today.

Five SOMSD Schools Scheduled to Open Monday November 5, 2012

Columbia High School, South Orange Middle School, Marshall Elementary School, Seth Boyden Elementary School, South Mountain Elementary School (main campus only) WILL be open on November 5^th, barring any unforeseen complications.

South Mountain Annex students and staff should report to the “big school” until further notice, since the Annex is currently without power.

Jefferson Elementary School will be closed on Monday, November 5^th because of multiple instances of downed wires surrounding the school which create hazardous conditions.

Maplewood Middle School, Clinton Elementary School, South Mountain Annex, and Tuscan Elementary School are still without power and are expected to be closed Monday, November 5^th.  We are working with PSE&G and municipal officials to open as quickly as possible.  If power is restored and we are able to open any of these schools on November 5^th, we will let affected families know via SchoolMessenger.

Getting to School Safely

SOMSD requests that all adults in the community assist children in getting to school.  Parents should stay in custody of their children all the way to school.  Please help them around obstructions, across streets and intersections, and make sure they stay away from downed power lines.  Drivers, please drive slowly and exercise extreme caution.

Transportation routes will be challenged by obstructed roadways.  Please be patient and expect delays.  If bus stops are obstructed, buses will stop at the nearest corner that is on the route. 

DENCO GAS - LONG LINES

Still unclear what happened at Denco Gas on Springfield Ave., which was open early Saturday to long lines, then closed and reopened again.

But the word is out with a line stretching along Springfield Ave. to Broadview, down Broadview to Valley, then along Valley back toward Millburn.

Remember, it is an EVEN day, so that last number on your license plate better be 2,4,6,8,or 0.

PSE&G ESTIMATING POWER BACK LATE TONIGHT

A work schedule released by PSE&G indicates that Maplewood is on the current restoration schedule and has an estimated return of service for 11:59 p.m. tonight.

The work order indicates more than 9,000 PSE&G customers are in Maplewood, with more than 6,000 out of power.

Let's hope they are correct.

LIFE AT DE HART SHELTER

From PATCH.

See More HERE.

PSE&G'S LATEST UPDATE - FOCUSING ON MAPLEWOOD

The latest PSE&G update contends power is coming back slowly but surely.

For Essex County it states:

Essex County
-- Of the 346,260 customers in Essex County, 251,000 customers lost electricity. As of Saturday morning, 122,400 customers remained out of service.
-- We have restored service to 65% of the customers in Newark and will be working in the city all weekend.
-- Crews will be also be focusing on Irvington, West Orange, Montclair, East Orange, Bloomfield, Maplewood, Orange and Belleville this weekend..

TOWN HALL OPEN ALL WEEKEND

This from the township last night:

Town Hall will be open Saturday 11/3 and Sunday 11/4 for those who wish to charge electronic devices and/or pay their taxes.

Town Hall located at 574 Valley St. Maplewood will be open from 10AM to 4:00PM tomorrow Saturday Nov. 3 and Sunday Nov. 4.

GAS RATIONING IN PLACE, ODD AND EVEN

Governor Christie ordered gas rationing for 12 counties, including ours. Odd and even days begin today, with an odd day today, Nov. 3, meaning the last number on your license plate indicates if you can buy gas.

More from NJ.com HERE.

BRAVO TO OUR TOWN, MAYOR

Have to give a hand to township officials and workers, who have done a great job clearing the streets and removing trees and other items blocking the streets.

Also, Town Hall has been open for information and powering up, as well as the main library.

Then there is Mayor Vic De Luca, who held several press conferences on the storm and is providing news updates via alerts and emails, as well as being in touch with people at several locations. We found him driving along streets to notify residents of information this week.

I wish our loudmouth governor and PSE&G were doing anything close. But another great reason to live in Maplewood. The town does its part and more, as do the many businesses in Maplewood Village who have opened up to provide heat, light and power outlets, as well as food.