Elizabethtown Gas ready to pipe soon

OGDENSBURG — Elizabethtown Gas Director of Sales Gary Marmo confirmed on March 12 that Elizabethtown Gas will be ready to pipe very soon.
the following five developments: Maryann Estates, Presidents, Beardslee Hill, Fox Hill, and Bettino. He continued, as a result of a good resident response, Elizabethtown Gas sent a letter encouraging residents it is time to sign up for natural gas at the town hall meeting, scheduled April 10, 7 p.m., at the Ogdensburg Fire House.
Marmo said it is imperative for the 404 residents to come and sign up at the April 10 meeting, where Elizabethtown Gas will also answer any remaining questions. If unable to attend the meeting, residents should call 732-850-6925 and sign up for natural gas ahead of time.
During the council meeting, Marmo requested permission to place yard signs reminding residents of the meeting, prior to April 10, and to submit plans to Van Cleef Engineering Associates for review. The council agreed to both requests. Councilman Anthony Nasisi was absent.
Mayor Rachel Slater said, there are no updates regarding Heater's Pond Dam construction, other than the contractors should be finished soon. Contractors are scheduled to fill the pond by March 15.
Councilman David Astor said he met with the school safety team, where they discussed preparing for a possible school evacuation. In the event of a school evacuation, he asked the council to approve dispatch through 911 requesting the Department of Public Works and fire department provide assistance. Astor continued, they would draw up, present, and discuss a plan with the Office of Emergency Management (OEM) team.
He added, although the school is Shelter Number 1, it does no good in case of a power outage — due to no generator or access to generators. In addition, he said, the school needs plumbing work for the showers. Astor continued, he hopes to get assistance from the DPW or contractors, depending on who picks up the cost, which ultimately comes out of the taxpayers' pockets.
Councilman George Hutnick suggested the possibility of an emergency management grant or funding to help with the generator or plumbing.
Slater mentioned having the police and fire department check on residents during the last snow storm and power outages, where they discovered almost everyone has a generator. She brought up for discussion what should be done during future power outages, mentioning, in the past, the Fire Department Ladies' Auxiliary had put on dinners. The fire house is Shelter Number 2.
Officials discussed possibly buying food for emergencies.
Hutnick suggested an emergency pantry, from a special fund, stocked with dry goods, basics, and non-perishables.
Astor said, the school board probably would allow them to develop and secure a pantry for emergency purposes. He agreed, they do need some type of plan – which came out with the storm - to assist residents in case of mass outages,
Hutnick and Astor told Slater, regarding the Plant Street outage issue, her sending people to check on the residents had had a huge, positive impact.
Slater said, they needed to work on emergency notifications, in the event of power outages. The water operator was not contacted, she said, but she contended, job descriptions should include the responsibility to prepare and check on job responsibilities in the event of storms.
The council has to be careful, she added, when calling out OEM, because the borough loses all control. That is why, she said, when it was around 30 degrees, she only activated OEM to check on residents.
Officials agreed to schedule a meeting with OEM to tighten up the borough's emergency response.
Astor said, if they develop the “tightest plan in the world, and it never goes into effect,” it would be the best three hours they ever spent.