Stafford Township On the Job

This week started with Veteran's Day. It's now become routine every morning to walk my road in Stafford, check my neighbors homes, check on the tide and to check the mailbox.

Sandy had taken three houses on our street . First we had to get those houses removed from the road . One phone call to Public Works and later that day - as promised - two huge loaders showed up and made quick work of them clearing the way for to get electric services on again and mail. 

Then we had another storm. That delayed the electric about a day. Another phone call - this time to the Mayor's office - and we had inspectors that day come ok my home and inspect the others paving the way for Atlantic City Electric, and like promised, Crew 793 showed at dusk and in a hour we had power again. With the help again of Stafford Township Department of Works, Building, and the Mayor's office - it has been relatively painless process.

Today was no different with the mail service being a very important aspect of this disaster.

Last week finding my mail box by luck 1/4 mile away from my home across a highway was just the beginning. My post office and driver - again a great team - walked my mail in over debris and houses. The second time they drove  all the way down - but with an understandable reluctance - because the beginning of our road is very close to the bay. 

With Sandy brought a couple tons of extra sand. Bay sand that as iys dried out has become a deep barrier to get on on my road, which has been neglected for years. The previous administration in Stafford have always looked the other way, but not the current administration. They are not only active but proactive. 

I tried this morning to shovel this new dune away only to see this was a futile effort. Retreating home, I called the town yard and was greeted with "let me see what we can do." Not one hour later, the Foreman of Buildings and Grounds himself - in a town pickup equipped with a snow plow - answered the call. Not only that, he has a loader come as back up.

Surveying the road and its condition he decided to give its due and shoveled the debris sand and filled the huge holes that have riddled the street for years. He, Joseph Favorito, and Callahain in the loader made quick work of all the sand and even widened the road a bit. I can now get mail and have inspectors drive in and out without worrying if they will get back out. Now we have a much needed asset - a working drivable road.

Hopefully after the debris clean up is over we could address a better plan for this road but right now I can't say enough about the entire response from the Stafford Township team - fire, rescue, police, town hall, water, sewer and the strained Department of Public Works. An even bigger surprise - Joe offered me water food and even gave me a box of bottled water. And energy drinks. 

Joseph also alerted me to the relief center that is just down the street from me on Bay Ave, offering food, clothing, shoes, FEMA information and help with finding shelter.

Answering the call and investing in proactive plans, Stafford Township remains the benchmark all will be held to in the future.