JCP&L has done a terrible job with communications and repairs!

Start to finish (when there is a finish), this has been debacle. Lack of information, lack of communication and lack of specifics make it so. Madison did a great job - Chatham should learn from them. Even now - on Wednesday - there is no reliable information - only rumors and hearsay from feet on the streets reporting (neighbors, etc.)

Response from JCP&L has been terrible, but I agree that the Borough could be much better at communication. The new highly touted website has been useless - infrequent updates with little information & passing the blame (appropriately so) to JCP&L. Calls to the Borough's emergency management line go into voicemail; no alerts, poor communication, the whole thing was a poorly managed mess. When the Mayor starts to boast about how he saved the day, he needs to be reminded of these facts.

I've been told by Nancy with Chatham Township that the township will remove all storm debris (branches) if left curbside. This goes against traditional policy. I would like others to call 973 635-4600 and press 9 to get a live person and please ask the question to confirm what they are saying. If you can, please add a new post if they are saying this. You think they would place this on their website also - but they have not.

Lorrie,
I just saw Mayor Vaughan on Ch. 5 News and he said he has had no contact with JCP&L since yesterday! I wish he and/or other borough officials would tell us what they know, and what actions they can take. If they are being ignored I would like to know that as well. Our leaders cannot do the actual work of restoring our power, but they have total control of the communications to borough residents - the method, the content and the frequency. And communications have been dismal. Borough leadership needs to join the 21st century and establish a standard of excellence in communicating with residents- starting with an overhaul of its inadequate website. It could and should be a go to place for emergency information. When communications are lacking, people fill in the blanks - and that is never good.

Hi Lorrie Zesk, I have called the Senior Area Manager for JCP&L repeatedly over the last 24 hours and have had only the response that they would get back to me. That is what I meant by no contact. We have been Tweeting out information as we receive it with the admonition that JCP&L has been consistantly over optomistic about projections on restoration. I am still without power myself and have not been able to get a hot shower for 5 days, so I know how frustrated everyone is in Chatham Borough. We will continue to work to improve our communications and we seek to be totally availabale. I have been answering phone calls and emails by the dozens since Satuday, and encourage anyone to call me if they wish at one of my cell phones, either the Borough cell phone 973-417-2964 or my personal cell phone at 201-826-7093. We recently did overhaul our website with a new provider, so please call me with further suggestions. I know the School District of the Chathams has a Honeywell system, and it seems to communicate well with parents of students. We will consider this and possibly other communications systems as we prepare for the next emergency. I frankly do not believe anything JCP&L tells me at this point. However, we are starting to see repair trucks from Michigan today. With luck we will be out of this by the weekend. All the best to my fellow Borough residents, Mayor Nelson Vaughan

CTPDs most recent post is that "JCPL continues to restore power to isolated areas of Chatham Township". Isolated? Buttonwood? Hilltop Terrace? Fairmount? Day 5 ... Yes, the natives are getting restless!

I am updating a lot faster than the CTPD on twitter.. I also spoke with Mayor Hagner, so I know what is going on finally. I'll be on NJ TV tomorrow. @thesicilian33 is my twitter for updates.

Andrew - can u confirm w the mayor that the township is clearing the brush that is left curbside?

Jerry, I called the Town today. They will handle brush on Town roads, and County will allegedly clean up their roads. Try calling public works to find out when they'll get to your neighborhood.

Why is Hillside Ave the last on the list? Why are all the trucks parked at the Livingston Mall at 6:30 p.m.? Where has Christie been? Why doesn't he go to the Livingston Mall and bully them into working around the clock as he promised? He's another political blusterer out there spouting nonsense and then going away when the going gets tough? Why doesn't he hold a press conference on Hillside Ave? Better yet, why doesn't he come and sleep at my house tonight? I'll light enough candles so he can hold a town hall meeting with my neighbors. There's no around-the-clock effort, Mr Governor. And Mr Mayor, a phone call is not enough; go to their headquarters with a few TV cameras and get some attention; or go to the Livingston Mall and ask why the trucks sitting there idle. Send a picture of this to Mr Christie, and ask for a meeting. I don't believe JCPL or anyone else.

5 days and counting. It's very frustrating seeing all those electric trucks parked at the Livingston Mall. I want them on my street as we all do. But to blame the Mayors? Aren't they volunteers with families and jobs too and no electricity? I know they signed up for the job, but this isn't something they created. And Lorrie since you were watching tv, you must have electric. Why are you complaining? Moreover, I believe the Borough website was just redone, but the Borough can only communicate with those who provide their emails. I was impressed that the Borough used the email database compiled by Recreation Department to get the message out of what was going on and school closures to many people as it could. Don't get me wrong, I have had enough, but really only have mother nature and JCP&L to blame.

For what it is worth, the power is out at Christies house as well.

When I spoke to the mayor in person she had answers and an explanation which shows she is doing her job. I applaud our mayor on her effort to try and get answers. If you people believe you can do better, then run for mayor. My father broke his neck during this blackout and I'm pointing the finger at mother nature. We should be more prepared for events like these. So who's at fault? Mother Nature. Who's fault is it for not being ready? Everyones. No matter what everyone is guilty.

Let's face the facts. Yes it was a terrible storm, however the ball was dropped from the township administration. While I appreciate the Mayor is sending emails at 1:00 am, the town did not have a plan, certainly didn't communicate any plan and for the first 72 hours did not execute the plan. The past 24 hours have been better. Moving forward let's learn from this event. It appears nothing was learned from Irene. Doug - you point out that "Aren't they (the Mayor;s) volunteers with families and jobs too and no electricity?" Yes, they are. However they ran for office, they were elected by the people to serve the people. With this comes resonsibility and accountability. I have suggested once, with no response, that there be a town hall meeting to discuss what went well and what didn;t and what adjustments we can made moving forward to better position the township in the event of a future storm. As stated, the past 24 hours have been better from the Mayor. It is a learning experience and I;m hoping she along with others (including residents) have learned from this event.

Storm damage was enormous. Fully expected delays in returning to " normal". However, JCPL communications/web site virtually useless. No opportunity to get any sense of progress on restoration. Those of us with power lines torn from pole have one idiotic prompt option on JCPL " emergency" reporting line to report that. And when asked if we want a call back, only phone option is home phone....which died Sunday. Not seeking miracles but some common sense communication in this day of Internet, smart phones, ipad's, etc. Is not too much to expect. That applies to Borough and Township websites as well.

JCPL restoring electricity like snail in Chatham. Last 2 days only 100 houses got restored. None have any idea after 6 days including elected officials. What a mess...............

Chatham Township didnt even get plowed until 7:00pm on Saturday and JCP&L is way too slow and lazy they didnt even work themselves they called in another company to do their work for them.

School District of the Chathams closed all schools and offices for the whole week.

I live in Chatham Township and am signed up for Nixle alert for both Chatham and Madison. Chatham Township should be embarrassed at what a poor job they did keeping us informed as to what is going on. Thanks goodness I signed up for Madison alerts. On Sunday, after the storm, I was receiving regular updates from Madison. But nothing from Chatham, until finally an email that Halloween was moved to Nov 4. Good to know, but what about the power!!! Maybe Mayor Hagner was working on the situation, but who would know because nothing was communicated. Being without power for days is bad, but having no information about what is going on is inexcusable. I hope the Mayor and the Township committee learn something from this situation..

As of December 3rd there are STILL branches on Robert Drive - did this become a County Road somehow ? Seriously, how many people actually work for the phantom "Road Dept" ?