Politics & Government

Power Returns to Bernardsville; Voting at Bernards High

Somerset Hills schools closed Tuesday. All districts to vote at Bernards High, which also remains open as a regional shelter.

Bernardsville Mayor Lee Honecker said the downtown section of the borough, including the has power back on as of Monday, and the numbers are expected to climb for the next few days.

However, no Somerset schools had power back as on Monday, and school will remain closed on Tuesday, said Bernardsville Police Chief Kevin Valentine. "It's really a safety issue," especially given condition of roads, he said. Moreover, he said that schools must wait 24 hours after regaining power to test systems and prepare for the reopening.

Honecker said that an estimated 400 were initially logged as having power returned. The area with power includes the "Little Italy" section near Bernards Avenue.

Find out what's happening in Bernardsville-Bedminsterwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Meanwhile, Honecker said all voting districts — all voters in the borough — are assigned to vote at 25 Olcott Ave., on Tuesday. Regular voting hours are 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.

The high school also remains open open as and will remain open as long as needed, Honecker said. Residents also are recharging and scheduling showers at the high school.

Find out what's happening in Bernardsville-Bedminsterwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Meanwhile, Valentine said that although all residents can be accessed in some way, roads remain blocked by wires and trees, with some poles over roadways.

But he urged residents to be very careful around wires that may have been previously without power and may be re-energized now that power is being returned.

Bottled water and food

Along with potable water that can be obtained at the library or the Bernardsville Middle School, Valentine said that bottled water and meals are available at the high school and at the library.

He said that borough professionals, including police, emergeny volunteers and others will be deliverying food and bottled water throughout the borough in ambulances, police vehicles and the volunteer's vehicles. Those persons will be wearing yellow vests and people can ask them for supplies, Valentine said.

They also will be going door-to-door to provide food and water for those who already on the police list for having special needs and with medical alerts, Valentine said.


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