Mahwah to Residents: Hunker Down, Stay Connected

Township officials had two messages for residents before a snowstorm and frigid temperatures hit the region Thursday night and Friday – stay home, and stay connected.

Mahwah Mayor Bill Laforet said that as the town is preparing to respond to a storm that forecasters are predicting will drop as much as 10 inches on Mahwah, residents should “make sure they are connected.”

If residents have not done so already, Laforet urged them to sign up to receive Nixle text message alerts from the Mahwah Police Department, and download the Mahwah Delivers App, which allows residents to both receive information from the township, and alert officials about hazardous conditions or issues during and after the storm.

“We have really worked to create a better system of knowing, and have found that especially during emergency situations like this, information sharing is key,” Laforet said.

The PD has set also up a dedicated email address for residents to reach out to with non-emergency storm-related questions and concerns.

Residents can email storm2014@mahwahpd.org anytime with storm-related issues, and officials say they should expect a response back.

“The snow is an issue, but we are most concerned about the low temperatures and windchill,” Mahwah Police Chief Jim Batelli told Patch Thursday afternoon. Batelli said he was concerned about pipes freezing, power outages, residents getting frostbite from staying outside too long.

“We are hoping that people will stay off the roads,” he said.

“That is our suggestion. Shelter in place, hunker down, and keep connected. We are hoping that having these multiple forms of communication will mean that residents can stay connected with the township, even if the power goes out.”

On the roads, salt and plow trucks were already out Thursday afternoon before the snow started, and officials said the township DPW trucks were gassed up, loaded with salt, and ready for the storm.

Meanwhile, locals shopping in the township Thursday said they were not overly concerned about the storm.

“I am not too worried,” Joyce Rosenblatt said on her way out of the Mahwah A&P.

“I’m just not going to go out. I’ll be cozy at home while it’s snowing outside.”

Township officials have released several tips and reminders. Check out their tips below:

• Leaves still on the ground should not affect snow plows. Residents can expect leaf pick-up to continue Monday morning, officials said. The DPW can pick up snow-covered leaves.
• The Mahwah PD will be on alert for ATV use on roadways, Batelli said. “We have an issue with this every year,” he said. “The do not have the proper lighting, and it is dangerous for ATVs to be on roadways, especially when plows, law enforcement officials, or anyone else on the roads don’t see ATVs turning onto snow-covered roadways.”
• The A&P will remain open during normal operating hours Thursday night and all day Friday.
• Check the National Weather Service Forecast here.
• Sign up for Nixle alerts via http://www.nixle.com/ or by texting 07430 to 888777.
• Download the Mahwah Delivers App here: http://www.publicstuff.com/mobile