Updated: Lawrence Township's Friday Post-Hurricane Update

Update, 3:15 p.m., Nov. 2:

The following update concerning voting for the Nov. 6 general election was just posted on the township's website: 

All polling districts will be open and available for voting on Tuesday, Nov. 6, from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Your voting district will be listed on the front of your Sample Ballot that, according to the county, have been mailed and should be received prior to Election Day. If you have not received your Sample Ballot, a copy can be obtained from the Mercer County Clerk's web page on the Mercer County website www.mercercounty.org.

Original Post, 12 p.m., Nov. 2:

Here is some of the latest Lawrence Township post-Hurricane Sandy news, as of noon today, Friday, Nov. 2:

No Recycling Pickup, But Drop-Off Station Available

According to the latest update posted on the township’s website, “there will be no recycling pickup on Sunday, Nov. 4, as originally scheduled. However there will be a drop-off station for recycling on Saturday, Nov. 3, at Central Park [on Eggerts Crossing Road] between 7 a.m. and 3 p.m. Regularly-scheduled recycling pickup will be on Nov. 12.”

A special week-long brush/yard debris collection will take place, as previously announced, beginning Monday, Nov. 5. Each street will have its debris collected once during the week.

All Roadways Reopened

All previously-closed roadways in Lawrence Township have reopened, however traffic lights at some intersections may still be without power or the lights are not yet fully operational and are still in “flash” mode, township emergency officials said.

Shortly before 10 a.m. today, a car collided with a van at Route 206 (Lawrence Road) and Princeton Pike/Princeton Avenue (see photos above). At the time, the traffic lights for Route 206 were flashing yellow, while the lights for Princeton Pike/Princeton Avenue were flashing red.

Both drivers were hurt and were transported via Lawrence Township ambulance to Capital Health Regional Medical Center in Trenton. Township firefighters, meanwhile, contained automotive fluids spilled from the wrecked vehicles. The accident remains under investigation by township police.

Power Outage Update

As of 11 a.m. today, PSE&G’s power outage map showed that between 2,001 and 5,000 customers in Lawrence Township were still without electrical service.

According to the township’s website, power has been stored to the Carriage Park age-restricted condominium building on Colts Circle and the Brookshire Senior Community apartment building on Forrest Ridge Drive. “Safety inspections have been completed and residents may now return to their homes,” the township’s website advises.

Residents of both buildings, as well as the Lawrence Plaza age-restricted apartment building in the 2300 block of Princeton Pike, were evacuated by emergency officials on Wednesday due to a variety of safety concerns caused by the loss of power – such as the buildings’ fire alarm and fire sprinkler systems not working and there being no heat or emergency lighting.

Restoration work was still underway at Lawrence Plaza.

Residents who remain without power are urged to contact PSE&G to report their outage. The telephone number to call is 1 800-436-7734 to ensure PSE&G is aware that you do not have power.

School Fall Fest Still Taking Place

The Ben Franklin Elementary School Fall Fest is still on for this Saturday, Nov. 3, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. and the school has power. The event will feature lots of fun activities for kids, over 50 vendors to “shop until you drop” for the holidays, refreshments, music, and community yard sale areas. There will also be a cash 50/50, tickets will also be sold for a raffle with “amazing prizes,” and you get one chance to win a Target gift card for every small electronic item you donate to the Planet Green Recycle Box.

“We know many have been hit hard by this storm and we wish for a speedy recovery for all. We also hope our community event will bring people together and remind us how lucky we are to have each other,” event organizers said in an email. “Thank you very much for your support. Our vendors are very enthusiastic to greet you at the Fall Fest!

Visit the event’s Facebook page for vendor details http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/events/207277929400017/?fref=ts

Water Restrictions In Place

The following advisory about water use is posted on the township’s website: 

Bob Martin, commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, by executive order issued by Gov. Christie, has issued statewide water restrictions. Although the state's water supplies are not directly threatened at this time, significant compromises to the energy supply in the wake of Hurricane Sandy may negatively affect the ability to maintain the water supply system and dictate the need for all New Jerseyans to conserve water to the maximum extent practicable. While this order outlines specific water use prohibitions and exemptions, every resident, business and visitor is urged to use water wisely and to minimize water use both in and outdoors as much as possible.

Previous Mercer County-Specific Hurricane Sandy Coverage:

• Nov. 1: “”
• Nov. 1: “Notre Dame Cancels School Friday, Reschedules SATs”
• Nov. 1: “Lawrence Township's Thursday Post-Hurricane Update”
• Nov. 1: “Preliminary Mercer Damage Estimate: Over $2.5 Million”
• Oct. 31: “Power-Loss Safety Concerns Prompt Evacuations (Lawrence Township)”
• Oct. 31: “Princeton Township Opens Municipal Building to Residents”
• Oct. 31: “”
• Oct. 30: "Storm Cleanup Effort Underway in Lawrence Township"
• Oct. 30: "Photo Gallery: Lawrence Township & Hurricane Sandy"
• Oct. 30: "Lawrence Township: What's Going On With Sandy?"
• Oct. 30: “Hurricane Sandy Brings Chaos to Princeton”
• Oct. 30: "Princeton Man Dies During Hurricane Sandy"
• Oct. 30: “Photo Gallery: Hurricane Sandy Aftermath (East Windsor)”
• Oct. 30: “Photo Gallery: Hurricane Sandy (East Windsor)”
• Oct. 29: ""
• Oct. 29: "Mercer County Residents Urged to 'Shelter in Place'"
• Oct. 28: “Mercer County Braces for Storm”
• Oct. 28: “No Unauthorized Travel Allowed After 6 Tonight as Lawrence Township Declares State of Emergency”
• Oct. 28: “
• Oct. 27: “Lawrence Township Braces for Hurricane Sandy”
• Oct. 27: “Princeton Prepares for Hurricane Sandy”
• Oct. 27: “'Limited' State of Emergency Declared in Mercer County”
• Oct. 27: “Area Municipalities Prepare For Sandy”
• Oct. 26: “Mercer County Mobilizes Resources in Advance of Sandy”
• Oct. 26: “County Executive Urges Residents to Prepare for Sandy”

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