Day 4: Livingston Still Reeling Following the Storm

Updated at 12:51 p.m.

Livingston Mayor Stephen Santola says that PSE&G has set up a "mini headquarters" at town hall. 

The company is focusing on the Lower S. Livingston Avenue substation, so that the police and fire departments can have power again.  Any residents in that area should be seeing the results of PSE&G's work shortly.

Following the first responder buildings, the next priority of PSE&G will be the seven schools still without power.  Livingston's school system has been closed all week due to lack of power in the buildings.

Santola says that the "goal is to have the schools up and running by Election Day so that the polling stations aren't affected."

PSE&G crews are working side-by-side with the township's Department of Public Works to ensure branches are cleared out of the way and the power company can successfully reach the power lines.

Santola says he hopes to establish a working relationship with JCP&L as soon as possible.

Patch will continue to update this article as more information becomes available.

--------------------------------------------------------

Livingston residents continue to recover from Hurricane Sandy, which left 80% of the town without power heading in to Tuesday.

On Thursday, Livingston Police Chief Craig Handschuch said about 60 people stayed in the Livingston High School shelter Wednesday, but warned the shelter is not equipped for recharging electronics, because it is being operated by a generator.

“The shelter is remaining open Thursday,” Handschuch said.

Handschuch said that residents looking to charge their electronic devices can do so at the police department lobby.

Handschuch warned that power is coming back very slowly to the town and that there continues to be long lines at gas stations by residents getting gas for their cars and generators.

"There are extremely long lines," Handschuch said, adding that a gas line on Northfield Avenue was almost a mile long.

Portable generators are keeping street lights powered at six major intersections, he said.  In the meantime, he said public works employees are clearing trees and branches from streets and the township officials are staying in touch with the power companies waiting for power to be restored.

In the meantime, Livingston public schools remained closed on Thursday. 

Residents looking for a hot shower or a place to recharge can also go to the New York Sports Club.