UPDATE: Snow Knocks Out Power, Some Traffic Lights Dark

Over 8 inches estimated to have fallen since Wednesday

Manchester police report that the nor'easter Wednesday toppled a tree into a Cedar Glen Homes residence on Robin Street, forcing the man living there to relocated after the structure was deemed unsafe, said Capt. Lisa Parker. Throughout the township, "multiple" wires are down and power is reportedly out in both the eastern and western sections of Manchester including Pine Lake Park, Holly Oaks, Cedar Glen, Whiting Station and The Meadows, according to Parker. JCP&L estimates that about 5,483 of its 25,507 Manchester customers are in the dark. Before the Nor'easter hit, power was restored to nearly all of the township after Hurricane Sandy left thousands of Manchester residents without electricity. "We have no idea when JCP&L will be able …

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Hurricane Sandy

Police: Stay Home as Crews Clean

Public works crews continue to clear roads as many are left without power

With traffic signals out at many major intersections in Manchester, authorities continue to ask residents to stay home if possible.  Signals along Route 37 have no power, making turns on the state highway very dangerous, said Manchester police Capt. Lisa Parker. "People should not go out unless it's an emergency," she said. "Many of the traffic signals are out and they cannot be manned." Police are experiencing a high call volume and cannot direct traffic at most intersections, according to the captain. Non-emergency calls to report downed trees and wires should wait, though police are keeping a track of all reports they receive. Few were displaced because of the storm, Parker said, and those who had to leave home were able to find shelter…

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Recent Closing of Harry Wright Lake is 'Anomaly,' Says Public Works Director

Intensity of rainfalls helped stir up bacteria, leading to closure

A temporary closing of Harry Wright Lake in Whiting earlier this month due to elevated levels of bacteria in the water is not expected to be a regular occurrence, according to Manchester Township Public Works Director Stephen Stanziano. “Historically, we’ve had no problems there in the past until this year,” said Stanziano. The public works director attributed the higher levels of bacteria in the lake not to the quantity of rainfalls the area has experienced this summer, but rather to their intensity. “The intense rainfalls we’ve gotten can stir up bacteria and all kinds of unfriendly things on the ground, and that will drain into the lake,” Stanziano said. “We’re hoping that it’s an anomaly this summer, it’s always been a problem-free …

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Manchester Public Works Prepared Should Snow Fall This Winter

A year after major snowfall, Manchester's Public Works director says township is ready

A year ago, Manchester was blasted with nearly 20 inches of snow just days after Christmas.  Enough precipitation fell that a state of emergency was declared for New Jersey. Some surrounding municipalities struggled with snow removal, though roads in and around Manchester were mostly passable within a few days after the storm.  “We’re always prepared,” said Stephen Stanziano, director of Manchester's Department of Public Works, who has a fleet of 11 plows, two loaders and a grader for clearing the township’s roads should snow fall this winter. “Everything is a year older than it was last year, and that’s always a concern,” Stanziano said. Though the department employs 35 workers, two employees are on extended sick leave and a mechanic …

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Township Public Works Director Named Leader of the Year

Stephen Stanziano received the honor from the New Jersey chapter of the American Public Works Association

Manchester's Public Works director was recently honored for his leadership role.  Stephen Stanziano was presented with the Richard Rohrbach Public Works Leader of the Year award during a ceremony at the 2011 New Jersey League of Municipalities Conference in Atlantic City on Nov. 17. The honor was given by the New Jersey chapter of the American Public Works Association to Stanziano, "a public works official that has distinguished himself in one or more areas" and "inspire(s) excellence and dedication in public service by recognizing the outstanding achievements of individual public works officials," according to a statement by the organization.  "This one was extra special," said Stanziano, who has been recognized twice in years past for …

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