UPDATE: Debris Removal, Housing & Social Services, Childcare, Food, and more
September 5, 2021 7:30 pm
The City of Lambertville remains in a State of Emergency. Please stay safe and remain patient as we move into the first phase of recovery. Please continue reading for important updates. We know that not everyone is able to access email or the internet at this time. We are working to get information out in hard copy, but please share this information with anyone you know that may not be getting electronic updates.
DEBRIS REMOVAL: Due to the statewide impact of Ida and disaster relief procurement rules, it has been difficult for the City to access dumpsters and debris removal services. The City has now secured support from the Governor’s office, resulting in a debris removal company coming to Lambertville within the next 72 hours. The company will bring several large disaster debris trucks to remove trash and debris that has accumulated on sidewalks and in other public areas. In order to accommodate this, all debris must be sorted into four categories: (1) household debris, garbage, construction materials, and vegetative waste; (2) electronics; (3) household hazardous waste (paint, oil pesticide, cleaning supplies, etc.); and (4) ‘white’ goods (appliances). This is a requirement of DEP and FEMA in order to allow us to begin the removal of storm debris. Detailed information about this was sent in a separate email and is being passed out in hardcopy around the city. The City is coordinating volunteers to assist in this effort. Those who can assist should come to City Hall beginning at 8 am on Monday.
HOUSING & SOCIAL SERVICES: The Red Cross shelter is no longer available due to lack of use. Anyone who needs housing should call the Hunterdon County Helpline at 908-782-4357 (24 hours), or Hunterdon County Social Services at 908-788-1300 (8:30 to 4:30, Monday to Friday).
Hunterdon County Human Services will be at LPS from 11-1 on Monday, 9/6, to discuss housing assistance, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, SNAP, Medicaid, and Emergency Assistance. Staff can also refer to area nonprofits for additional resources and assistance.
- Hunterdon County's social services resource page is here: https://www.co.hunterdon.nj.us/depts/social/socserv.htm.
- Hunterdon County’s Ida resources page is here: https://www.co.hunterdon.nj.us/tropical-storm-Ida.html.
FOOD, SUPPLIES, & CHILDCARE: Relief sites at LPS, the Library, and Liberty Hall will be open 10-6 Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday. All sites offer volunteer coordination, snacks, and supplies. The LPS site is also hosting an emergency pantry (food, clothing, and supplies). Cavallo Park childcare will be open Monday and Tuesday 10-6, and will offer snacks, activities, and coordination with volunteers or other services as needed. Construction tarps will be available for those who have sustained damage and need to cover their property.
VOLUNTEERS: (other than for debris removal as noted above): Volunteers are being coordinated using Lotsa Helping Hands Lambertville. Volunteers can sign up for shifts at any of the four relief stations or sign-up for other volunteer tasks. Requests for help will be coordinated among the relief stations. Sign-up at https://my.lotsahelpinghands.com/request/select-email/lambertville-helping-hands
WATER/SUEZ: The boil water advisory has been lifted and the water is safe to drink. If you experience any discoloration or other issues, please contact Suez directly at 877-565-1456.
POWER/JCP&L: Most residents’ power has been restored. If you are still without power for any reason other than that your electrical box has been pulled, please contact JCP&L online at https://www.firstenergycorp.com/outages_help.html or by phone at 888-544-4877.
REPORT DAMAGE: Please report any damage to your home or business using the form on the City’s website: https://lambertvillenj.org/damage. You can also call or email the City at 609-397-0110, EXT. 11 or
Due to the statewide impact of Ida and disaster relief procurement rules, it has been difficult for the City to access dumpsters and debris removal services. The City has now secured support from the Governor’s office, resulting in a debris removal company coming to Lambertville within the next 72 hours. The company will bring several large disaster debris trucks to remove trash and debris that has accumulated on sidewalks and in other public areas.
In order to accommodate this, all debris must be sorted into four categories. Please see below for details. This is a requirement of DEP and FEMA in order to allow us to begin the removal of storm debris.
The City has coordinated volunteers to lead the sorting effort in the three areas with the most concentrated accumulation of debris at Cherry St, Quarry St, and S. Union St. Volunteers are desperately needed in these areas tonight, Sunday, until about 7 pm and all day tomorrow, Monday. If you can volunteer, please come to City Hall and you will be deployed from there.
For individual households or groups of neighbors, please do the sorting in front of your homes/on your blocks. Sorted piles should be at least 1.5 feet apart.
Regular trash can be put out. Food waste can be put out as well, but please delay putting out food waste until as close to pick up time as possible to avoid attracting vermin. We do not yet know when pick up will be, but we will share that information as soon as possible.
The categories of waste are:
- Debris: household garbage, construction materials, vegetative waste, food waste
- Electronics: TVs, computers, audio equipment, phones, gaming machines, and similar
- Household Hazardous Waste: oil, paint, pesticide, batteries, cleaning supplies, compressed gas, fluorescent bulbs/tubes, and similar
- “White” Goods (regardless of color): refrigerators, stoves, washers, dryers, air conditioners, dishwashers, water heaters, humidifiers, and similar (all appliances must be taped closed)
We understand that everyone has been working diligently to clean out their homes as well as the homes of neighbors. We know that this has been difficult labor. We greatly appreciate all of the volunteers and community members that have rallied together at this critical time. We are doing everything that we can to address the most emergent life, health, and safety issues. We will continue to communicate as needs evolve and change.