Crime & Safety
Schools Closed, Garbage Delayed, Warming Centers Open as Storm Blasts Area
Officials in Morristown, Morris Township and Morris Plains are urging caution as temperatures fall.
Temperatures continue to fall as the last vestiges of the winter storm that blew into town Tuesday retreats Wednesday and residents and officials are working to pick up the pieces and restore normalcy.
Both the Morris School District and Morris Plains School District have closed up shop for the day on Wednesday.
In Morris Township, the scheduled pickup of garbage and recycling for Wednesday has been bumped to the weekend.According to Department of Public Works Superintendent Thomas J. Eschmann, the pickup has been postponed until Saturday and residents are being asked to have their cans to the curb by 6 a.m.
"Governor Christie has declared a State of Emergency due to the severe weather. It is recommended that you do not travel unless absolutely necessary. The Department of Public Works will be plowing through the evening and night to clear snow from the roadways," Eschmann said. "The latest forecast is calling for approximately 12 inches of snow. Please do not park vehicles on the roadways so the plows may clear the roads from curb to curb."
At the same time, Morris Township Police are asking residents take extra time to clear out fire hydrants because you "never know who might need them."
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In Morristown proper, residents have the option to go to the Morristown Senior Center on the third floor of town hall to warm up from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday as temperatures are expected to plummet and stay there for the remainder of the week.
The Fire Bureau Headquarters located at 161 Speedwell Avenue will be open as a warming station for residents in need from Tuesday night through Friday from 8 p.m. to 10 a.m..
Find out what's happening in Morris Township-Morris Plainswith free, real-time updates from Patch.
The warming station is located on the third floor of the firehouse and there will be signs posted. The warming stations hours will be extended if needed due to severe frigid temperatures.
Residents are encouraged to call the Morristown Office of Emergency management at 973-390-1575 if they are without heat or electricity and in need of assistance.
Also in Morristown, the office of Mayor Tim Dougherty announced Tuesday that the Morristown Parking Authority is suspending parking fees for residents through 6 p.m. Wednesday.
Folks can park at:
- Dalton Garage
- Ann/Bank streets garage
- DeHart garage
- Parking Deck at Vail Mansion
In order to take advantage of the free parking, residents need only show their driver's license as proof.
According to Jeff Paul of the Morris County Office of Emergency Management the heaviest snow fall passed by 10 p.m. Tuesday night and the Morris County road crews have a deployment plan in place for Wednesday as "we move into our clean-up mode."
Paul did urge caution as high winds will remain a concern.
"We still may experience wind gusts of 20-30 MPH which will result in blowing and drifting snow," Paul said.
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