Middletown Offices To Close On Thursday Due To Expected Blizzard Conditions

Middletown Mayor Gerry Scharfenberger, PhD, announced that the Township’s facilities are closed and programs are cancelled on Thursday, February 9th, due to the Winter Storm Warning with expected blizzard like conditions in the Township.

The closure includes the Middletown Library, the Middletown Arts Center, the Senior Center, Poricy Park and the Health Department. The Project Plus program, scheduled for Thursday night, is cancelled.

Garbage and recycling collection is cancelled on Thursday. Garbage will be collected on the next scheduled collection date. Recycling will be collected the next day. Residents are advised not leave cans curbside because crews will be plowing.

“Middletown is prepared to address tomorrow’s storm,” said Mayor Scharfenberger. “The township has 153 pieces of equipment at its disposal to clear snow from more than 650 lane miles of road. The fleet includes 83 township plows, brining machines, sanders, and other heavy equipment. Another 70 plows are provided by local contractors who augment township snow removal efforts as needed.”

Township Administrator Anthony P. Mercantante said that crews began pre-treating roads with salt brine on Wednesday. Emergency personnel will be placed on standby as the storm advances.

Motorists are encouraged to stay off the roads. A Winter Storm Warning issued by the National Weather Service remains in effect from midnight tonight until 4pm on Thursday, February 9^th.  Forecasters are predicting rain will turn to heavy snow starting at approximately 6:00 a.m., with snowfalls of up to 2 inches per hour possible. Heavy snowfall is expected to end around noon. Below freezing temperatures are expected to continue into Thursday night.

Coastal residents are advised be aware that upcoming high tides will be approximately 6:13 a.m. and 6:43 p.m. on Thursday.

Residents with home generators need to be aware that they must be placed at least 20 feet away from any habitable structure when they are in use for safety reasons. Now is also a good time to start up the generator and make it is in working order, he said. It is also a good idea to have extra fuel stored in the appropriate containers on hand.

Mayor Scharfenberger advises residents to stay informed by registering to receive emergency alerts from Middletown Township. Residents can register through the town website at middletownnj.org/register. Alerts and updates are sent by text and e-mail. Residents need to register their cell phone to receive voice messages on their cells. Be sure to include a home or local address since messages are sometimes sent based on geographic location. Registration is not necessary to receive voice messages via landline phone.

Updates will also be posted on the township website, middletownnj.org, on Facebook at MiddletownNjTownhall, Twitter at MiddletownNj and Nixle (nixle.com)