Caldwells Storm Recovery: Don’t Put Tree Limbs On Curb (Yet)

CALDWELLS, NJ — Yes, town officials in Caldwell and West Caldwell know that there are still fallen tree limbs laying around the area. But the cleanup efforts from last week’s storm are still underway… and there may be even more snow coming, officials said Monday.

According to a West Caldwell municipal alert sent at 11:41 a.m.:

“The West Caldwell Public Works Department is asking residents to refrain from placing fallen tree limbs at the curb at this time. We are aware of the volume of fallen limbs and are working on a solution to dispose of them. However, with the forecast for additional [snowfall], placing the debris at the curb at this time interferes with ongoing snow removal efforts… Thank you for your cooperation.”

• See related article: NJ Nor'easter (Latest Snow Estimates, Winter Weather Advisory)

Caldwell police issued a similar alert on Monday, asking residents to refrain from placing fallen tree branches and limbs curbside to avoid interfering with the town's DPW and snow removal efforts.

Caldwell borough officials issued the following advisory on Monday afternoon:

"The Borough of Caldwell and the Caldwell Police Department would like to inform our residents that as of 2:30 pm, Sunday March 11, 2018, the Office of Emergency Management has rescinded the “Snow Emergency” declaration for the Borough of Caldwell. Although the emergency has been lifted, snow mounds formed on the side of the road have narrowed them drastically to the point that is it nearly impossible to park on the roadways. Although the past few days have been warmer and the snow has melted, the snow mounds still remain and parking alongside them will create an even narrower roadway causing a hazardous driving condition for all motorists. We urge all our residents to please use their discretion when parking on the roadways as to not create a hazardous driving condition. If you do park on the roadway and an officer deems it hazardous or unsafe for other motorists on the road, your vehic le is subject to get ticketed and/or towed.Also, all residents cannot park their vehicles in the roadway overnight or during the anticipated snowfall we are expecting this evening so the roads can be cleared properly as per our Borough Ordinance 230-37, “Parking on snow-covered streets prohibited."

The Caldwells were among several Essex County towns hit hard by last week’s storm and its heavy, wet snow, which left roads treacherous and caused downed wires and power outages throughout the area, officials said.

• See related article: Storm Hits The Caldwells; Trees Down, Roads Impassable

The Caldwells weren't the only Essex County towns hit hard by the storm. Flights were canceled in Newark, roads became impassable in Verona and Cedar Grove, car crashes were reported in Millburn, downed power lines were seen in Maplewood and Livingston and trees were down in Montclair.

• See related article: Essex County Sees Crashes, Outages, Bad Roads

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