Borough Council Commends All on Storm Recovery

Driving through Downtown Freehold it is hard to believe that only a week ago, a violent thunderstorm uprooted trees and downed power lines.

While Freehold is back open for business, Borough Council members took time at the Monday night Council meeting to commend JCP&L, the Freehold Borough Police Department, the Fire Departments, First Aid and residents for pulling together during the storm and throughout the cleanup of the town.

“Our volunteers left their families and homes to come to the aid of their neighbors and visitors to our town. Our police department, street department, and water department responded in the time we knew they would in such a disaster,” said Mayor Nolan Higgins to the audience. He continued by saying “I am so proud of our Borough staff, our police and fire departments, our First Aid squad, our public works staff, our citizens, all who assisted in so many ways, and in everyone efforts, thoughts, and patients, while Freehold recovered.”

In addition to Council members thanking local organizations and residents, attendees and Council members took turns thanking Mayor Nolan Higgins for his work during the storm.

“I can’t tell you how proud I am to be a resident in this community, said Council President Sharon Shutzer. “What happens to one of us happens to all of us and I have never seen more obvious proof of that than during this storm. I also want to give a heartfelt thank you to our Mayor who has led us through this.”

Earlier this year, Gerald M. Ricciardo, Area Manager of JCP&L came in front of the Council and gave his word that there would be more open communication between the electric company and the town.  The constant communication between JCP&L and the Council is an example of how the Borough is learning more efficient ways to deal with storms.

Out of the July 28 storm, Higgins announced another relationship with the CentraState mobile unit has been established to better assist residents with medical needs.

“We have set up that relationship with them [CentraState Mobile Unit] now, they have offered to come into our senior buildings and they have offered to park in front of the fire house. It has been a bit of a learning experience and this is one of the connections we have made,” said Higgins.