Emergency Announcements

  Power Outages and Food Safety

Click here for a listing of Snow Emergency Information

Click here for a listing of Snow Emergency Streets

Click here for a listing of Winter Storm Survival Tips

Click here for General tips for senior citizens:

Rutherford's New Emergency Notification System

In the event of an emergency, the system will call your home with specific information about what is happening and how you should respond. The particular system will use over 250 dedicated lines and has the capability of contacting residents at the rate of 15,000 calls per hour. Borough officials will be able to target a specific neighborhood or the entire community.

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SNOW EMERGENCY INFORMATION

1. A Snow Emergency exists and parking is prohibited on snow emergency streets when the roadway is covered with snow. Vehicles parked in violation of snow emergency ordinance shall be subject to ticketing and towing, however alternate side enforcement on other roadways will be suspended as a convenience to our residents. Please remove all vehicles from snow emergency streets when snow is predicted in the forecast or when you are out of town. (See list of roadways on inside page). Parking is available during snow emergencies in metered spaces only in the Kip Avenue Garage at no charge. (see list of roadways).
2. Parking is permitted again on snow emergency streets when the roadway is plowed to the curb, snow has ceased falling, and the snow emergency has been lifted by Borough officials.
3. Vehicles are prohibited from being parked without being moved for five days on any Borough street regardless of the weather. After a snowstorm, vehicles must be dug out and moved within five days or they will be subject to ticketing and towing. It is best to move all vehicles into driveways when it snows whenever possible. If you do not have a driveway, talk to your neighbors about sharing driveways. It is much easier to shovel out the driveway entrance to the street then to attempt to shovel out a car that has been plowed in.
4. Borough Ordinance requires all sidewalks must be cleared of snow and ice within 12 hours of daylight after a snowfall or a winter storm and snow must not be shoveled, plowed, or otherwise placed in the roadway. When shoveling out or using a snow blower do not put snow back out on the street. Residents on corner properties are requested to shovel a path out to the street for all pedestrians.
5. Adopt A Fire Hydrant! You can help the Rutherford Fire Department by clearing the area around the fire hydrants in your neighborhood. This simple task will only take a few minutes and will save valuable time in the event of a fire in your neighborhood.

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Borough of Rutherford

SNOW EMERGENCY STREETS

BE IT ORDAINED BY THE MAYOR AND COUNCIL OF THE BOROUGH OF RUTHERFORD AS FOLLOWS:

SECTION 1. That Chapter 126, Article II, Time Limit Parking; Restricted Parking, Section 126-5, Parking prohibited certain hours, be and the same is hereby amended and supplemented as follows:

SECTION 2. That Chapter 126, Article III, Emergency Restrictions on Parking, Section 126-1 1, is hereby deleted and replaced with the following section:

126-11. Parking during snow emergencies.

1. Whenever snow has fallen and the accumulation is such that it covers the street or highway, an emergency shall exist, and no vehicle shall be parked on the following streets or highways or portions thereof:
   1. AMES AVENUE, both sides, in its entirety.
   2. BEECH STREET, even addressed side, between Union and Erie Avenues.
   3. BELFORD AVENUE, both sides, in its entirety.
   4. CHESTNUT STREET, even addressed side, in its entirety.
   5. DANIEL AVENUE, even addressed side, between Woodland Avenue and Marginal Road.
   6. DARWIN AVENUE, even addressed side, between Carneer Avenue and Union Avenue.
   7. DONALDSON AVENUE, even addressed side, between Park Avenue and Mortimer Avenue.
   8. EAST GOUVERNEUR AVENUE, odd addressed side, in its entirety.
   9. EAST NEWELL AVENUE, even addressed side, in its entirety.
   10. EAST PARK PLACE, odd addressed side, in its entirety.
   11. EAST PASSAIC AVENUE, both sides, between Park Avenue and Meadow Road.
   12. EAST PIERREPONT AVENUE, both sides, between Lincoln Avenue and Ridge Road.
   13. EAST PIERREPONT AVENUE, odd addressed side, in its entirety.
   14. EAST VAN NESS AVENUE, odd addressed side, between Wilson and Lincoln Avenues.
   15. EDGEWOOD PLACE, both sides, in its entirety.
   16. ELIZABETH STREET, even addressed side, in its entirety.
   17. ELLIOTT PLACE, both sides, between Home Avenue and Mortimer Avenue.
   18. ELM STREET, both sides, in its entirety.
   19. ETTRICK TERRACE, both sides, in its entirety.
   20. FAIRVIEW AVENUE, odd addressed side, between Home Avenue and Mortimer Avenue.
   21. FRANKLIN PLACE, both sides, between Chestnut Street and Park Avenue.
   22. GLEN ROAD, odd addressed side, in its entirety.
   23. GROVE STREET, both sides, in its entirety.
   24. HACKETT PLACE, even addressed side, between Washington Avenue and Union Avenue.
   25. HASTINGS AVENUE, even addressed side, in its entirety.
   26. HASTINGS AVENUE, both sides, from Darwin Avenue heading westerly to its terminus.
   27. HIGHLAND CROSS, both sides, between Ridge Road and Mountain Way.
   28. HOME AVENUE, odd addressed side, between Franklin Place and Ames Avenue.
   29. IRVING PLACE , even addressed side, between Union Avenue and Fairview Avenue.
   30. IVY PLACE, both sides, in its entirety.
   31. JACKSON AVENUE, both sides, between Carneer Avenue and Woodward Avenue.
   32. KIP AVENUE, both sides, in its entirety.
   33. LINCOLN AVENUE, odd addressed side, between Park Avenue and Woodland Avenue.
   34. MONTROSS AVENUE, both sides, between Vreeland Avenue and W. Pierrepont Ave.
   35. MORTIMER AVENUE, both sides, between Elliott Place and W. Pierrepont Avenue.
   36. MORTIMER AVENUE, odd addressed side, between Elliott Place and Union Avenue.
   37. ORIENT WAY, both sides, between Station Square and Summit Cross.
   38. PARK AVENUE, odd addressed side, in its entirety.
   39. PROSPECT PLACE, even addressed side, between Washington Avenue and Union Avenue.
   40. RIDGE ROAD, both sides, between Park Avenue and Summit Cross.
   41. RIVERVIEW AVENUE, both sides, between Park Avenue and Mortimer Avenue.
   42. ROLIVER STREET, even addressed side, in its entirety.
   43. SPRING DELL, even addressed side, in its entirety.
   44. SPRINGFIELD AVENUE, both sides, in its entirety.
   45. STUYVESANT AVENUE, both sides, in its entirety.
   46. SYLVAN STREET, odd addressed side, between Spring Dell and East Passaic Avenue.
   47. THE TERRACE, both sides, in its entirety
   48. UNION AVENUE, both sides, between Erie Avenue and Ayer Place.
   49. UNION AVENUE, even addressed side, between Carmita Avenue and Wells Place.
   50. WELLS PLACE, even addressed side in its entirety
   51. WEST GOUVERNEUR AVENUE, both sides, in its entirety.
   52. WEST PASSAIC AVENUE, both sides, from Park Avenue to Home Avenue.
   53. WEST PIERREPONT AVENUE, even addressed side, in its entirety.
   54. WHEATON PLACE, even addressed side, between Woodland Avenue and Marginal Road.
   55. WILSON AVENUE, both sides, between Woodland Avenue and its northerly terminus.
   56. WOOD STREET, both sides, between Washington Avenue and Union Avenue.
   57. WOODLAND AVENUE, odd addressed side, between Delafield Avenue and Park Avenue.

   THESE ROADWAYS ARE POSTED WITH SNOW EMERGENCY SIGNS
   

2. [Added 10-1-1996 by Ord. No. 2772-96 EN3] Whenever snow has fallen and the accumulation is such that it covers the street or highway, an emergency shall exist, and no vehicle, except vehicles owned or operated by members of the Rutherford Fire Department responding to fire calls, shall be parked on the following streets or highways or portions thereof:
   1. West side of Wells Place in its entirety.

3. The above parking prohibitions shall remain in effect after the snow has ceased, until the streets have been plowed sufficiently and to the extent that parking will not interfere with the normal flow of traffic. The above parking prohibitions shall remain in effect after the snow has ceased, until the streets have been plowed sufficiently and to the extent that parking will not interfere with the normal flow of traffic.

SECTION 3. That Chapter 126, Article III, Emergency Restrictions on Parking, Section 126-12, Erection of Signs, is renumbered Section 126-13, Erection of Signs and replaced with the following section:

126-12. Removal of vehicles.
Any unoccupied vehicle parked or standing in violation of this ordinance shall be deemed a nuisance and menace to the safe and proper regulation of traffic, and any peace officer may provide for the removal of such vehicle. The owner shall pay the reasonable costs of the removal and storage which may result from such removal before regaining possession of the vehicle

SECTION 4. That Chapter 126, Article XV, Effect of Ordinance. Section 126-65, Penalties, is hereby amended and supplemented as follows:

126-65. Penalties.
(11) Section 126-10, Emergency parking restriction: fifteen dollars ($15.)
(12) Section 126-11, Parking during snow emergencies: fifty dollars ($50.); any second violation in a calendar year: one hundred dollars ($100.), and any third and subsequent violations in a calendar year: one hundred fifty dollars ($150.)

SECTION 5. This Ordinance shall take effect immediately upon assuage and publication according to law.

HISTORY:
Ordinance 2717-94 effective 11/1/94
Amended 2/6/96 - Ordinance 2753-96
Amended 10/1/96 - Ordinance 2772-96
Amended 9/5/00 - Ordinance 2946-00

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General tips for senior citizens:

Seniors are at risk for developing hypothermia, a condition caused by body temperature that drops below 95 degrees. Symptoms are slowing down of the heart, weakness and confusion. Seniors at high risk are those who live in cold homes, drink alcohol, take certain prescription drugs, have a poor diet, have limited mobility or have had a stroke or diabetes.

Keep room temperatures between 70 and 75 degrees.

Dress warmly in layers. Wear a hat.

Avoid tight clothing and tight shoes.

Change long underwear and socks if they become damp or wet.

Use extra blankets.

Try to stay indoors during periods of ice and snow. Many falls occur when ice is so thin that it is difficult to see. Be careful in shady areas.

Keep an emergency shelf of food. Some suggestions are canned fruit, juice, canned vegetables, canned meat or fish, canned soups or stews, ready-to-eat cereals, dried fruit, peanut butter and jellies, crackers, instant coffee, tea or cocoa.

Be prepared. Have a home survival kit, including a flashlight, batteries, matches, candles and first-aid materials. Have a supply of calcium chloride and/or sand. Have your home heating system checked and serviced.

Listen frequently to weather reports for storm warnings.

Source: Somerset County Office on Aging

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Staying healthy shoveling snow:

If you shovel, start early when the snow is still powdery. Wet, frozen snow is harder to lift. Move only small amounts of snow at a time.

Rest frequently.

Many people don't know when to quit. If you feel chest pain, CALL 9-1-1 FOR EMERGENCY MEDICAL ASSISTANCE.

Don't shovel if you have hypertension or heart disease, are a chronic smoker or are older than 40 and not in good physical condition.

Take your time and use proper body mechanics. Bend with your legs, not your back. Turn with your feet. Don't twist.

Sources: Muhlenberg Regional Medical Center and Raritan Bay Medical Center.

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Do's and dont’s driving in the ice and snow:

DO

Slow down.

To correct a skid and get as much traction as possible, remove your foot from the accelerator and the brake pedal. This allows the vehicle to slow down naturally. Steer in the direction you want the front of your vehicle to go. For example, if the back of your car is going right, the front of your car will move left. Turn right to straighten the car. Hold the steering wheel firmly, but do not make sudden or wide turns.

Keep a safe distance between you and other vehicles.

When approaching a hill, observe how other vehicles are reacting and stay far enough behind them so you won't have to stop. Increase your speed at the bottom of the hill. As you reach the crest of the hill, reduce your speed and proceed down the hill as slowly as possible. Minimize brake use on slippery, icy hills.

DON'T:

Panic or speed.

Change lanes or oversteer while traveling on ice.

Don't brake if you start skidding, and don't jerk the steering wheel.

Sources: Anthony Parenti, president of the New Jersey Traffic Officers Association and director of the John H. Stamler Police Academy in Scotch Plains, and the American Automobile Association.

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Despite their fur coats, pets also suffer when the temperature dips and extreme weather hits. Here are some pet safety tips:

Provide outdoor pets with a dry, insulated house or shelter out of the wind. Bring your pet inside if the wind chill or other weather conditions become severe.

Cats and kittens often nap on car engines for warmth. Knock on the car s hood and honk the horn. Then wait a few minutes before starting your car.

Staying warm requires extra calories, so feed your pet accordingly. Ask your veterinarian for feeding advice.

Pets like the smell and taste of antifreeze, but even a very small amount can kill them. Thoroughly clean up spills at once. Tightly close containers and store them out of your pet s reach.

Always have fresh, clean water for your pet.

Remove ice, salt and caked mud from your pet s paws and coat at once. Contact your vet immediately if you suspect your pet has frostbite. Frostbitten skin might turn reddish, white or gray. It may be scaly or sloughing.

Source: Ralston Purina Co.

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Winter Storm Emergency Preparedness

The American Red Cross

Federal Emergency Management Agency

Center for Disease Control

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