Emergency Supply Kit

Do you have an emergency supply kit? If not, you should consider putting one together. Here's a great list from which to build yours:

STEP ONE: "GET A KIT" of Emergency Supplies

ITEMS FOR YOUR HOME:

Three days' supply of canned, non-perishable, ready-to-eat FOOD
Three days' supply of WATER (a total of three gallons per family member)
Battery-operated RADIO and extra batteries
FLASHLIGHT and extra batteries
One week's prescription MEDICATIONS
FIRST AID KIT
Personal TOILETRIES
Non-electric CAN OPENER and UTENSILS
SPECIAL NEEDS items:
INFANT care items
Items for ELDERLY family members
Items for relatives with DISABILITIES
CASH or TRAVELERS CHECKS
Store important DOCUMENTS in a waterproof, safe location

IN CASE YOU NEED TO EVACUATE:

Keep your vehicle's gas level at a minimum of half-a-tank.
Every family member must carry CONTACT INFORMATION:
All phone numbers at work, school, etc. for every family member
The name and number of a relative who lives out-of-state, to call in case your family gets separated.

Flood Watch Issued

The National Weather Service has issued a FLOOD WATCH for our area for what they're calling "Heavy and possibly record setting rainfall amounts."

Again - take a look at your situation and assess accordingly. Please be prepared. Do not take this lightly.

Thanks!

Hurricane Irene Preparedness Update

Here's the latest from the National Weather Service:

"...MAJOR HURRICANE IRENE TO STRONGLY AFFECT THE EAST COAST FROM NC
INTO THE NEW ENGLAND THIS WEEKEND...

THE LATEST NUMERICAL GUIDANCE CONTINUES TO ADJUST WESTWARD AS HAS
THE LAST SEVERAL NHC TRACK FORECASTS WHICH NOW HAVE EYE OF IRENE
COMING THRU THE NORTH CAROLINA OUTER BANKS LATE SATURDAY BEFORE
GRAZING THE DELMARVA AND NEW JERSEY THEN MOVING INTO THE NORTHEAST
ON SUNDAY. THIS POTENTIALLY COULD BE EXTREMELY DESTRUCTIVE WITH
MASSIVE DISRUPTIONS TO SOCIETY AND COMMERCE ALONG ITS ENTIRE TRACK
WITH VERY HIGH WINDS/STORM SURGE/OCEAN OVERWASH/BEACH
EROSION/SOUND AND BAY SIDE COASTAL FLOODING AND EXTREME TIDE
POTENTIAL. WIDESPREAD HEAVY RAINS IN THE 6-10 INCH RANGE WILL BE
COMMON WITH GREATLY INCREASED INLAND FLOOD POTENTIAL. REFER TO THE
NHC FOR THE LATEST FORECAST OF IRENE ALONG WITH LOCAL NWS
WARNINGS/STATEMENTS AND ADVISORIES FROM NC INTO NEW ENGLAND."

This is a potentially very dangerous situation unfolding. I am meeting with the local Emergency Management officials this evening to review our plans and ensure that we're ready - or as ready as we can be - to ride out the storm.

Again - I cannot stress this enough - you need to ensure that you review your own personal Emergency Management Plan. Review your emergency kits. Make sure that you have enough non-perishable canned food and water on hand to carry you through a few days where services may be interrupted. Are your vehicles fueled? Check your yards. It's summer time. Chances are you have outdoor furniture or other decorations that will blow away in periods of heavy winds. I'm going to go back to my Navy days and say that all "gear adrift" (patio furniture, umbrellas, garbage cans, outdoor decorations, flags, etc.) should be secured someplace indoors. If that's not possible, ensure that it's tied down in such a manner as to not blow away and create a potential hazard. If you have them - check your sump pumps for proper operation. Do you have a backup generator? Do you have fuel for it? Please remember - DO NOT UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES OPERATE AN EMERGENCY GENERATOR INDOORS.

There will be more updates in the coming days. Call or drop a note if you have any questions. Thanks!

Hurricane Irene, and an Earthquake

In case you've been living under a rock (no reference to the Geico commercial), Hurricane Irene is projected to come up the eastern seaboard this weekend, bringing with it potentially damaging winds and flooding rains.

I have scheduled a meeting on Thursday evening with the Emergency Management Team to review our plans and make sure that we, as a Borough are prepared for whatever Mother Nature may toss our way. Think back a few years to Hurricane Ivan - remember what happened then.

I'll be in touch after that meeting. In the meantime, it might not be a bad idea to review your own emergency plans - and take an inventory of your emergency supplies (canned goods, batteries, water, etc.) to make sure that you are prepared.

PS - did anyone feel the earthquake today? That was, in my opinion, pretty darn cool.

Mark Your Calendars! Some Important Dates . . .

FAMILY DAY: Sunday - August 14, 2011. Further details will be announced in the coming days - most likely you will be receiving a flyer in your door / on your doorstep.

ANNUAL YARD SALE: Gather up your belongings and get the tables ready. The Tatamy Borough-Wide Yard Sale is scheduled for Saturday, August 27, 2011.

SEPTEMBER BOROUGH COUNCIL MEETING: Tuesday, September 6, 2011 (Monday is Labor Day).

Council Meeting Update / Other . . .

A few items of interest from last night's council meeting:

1. ROAD PAVING PROJECT: The Borough received two bids for the road paving project to rehabilitate the back streets (Green, West, etc.). The bids were:

- Muschlitz Construction - $120,404.40
- Lehigh Valley Site Contractors - $99,481

The contract was awarded to Lehigh Valley Site Contractors. This will be funded through a grant that the Borough received from the Monroe County Gaming Commission. I don't yet have a start date - but it needs to be finished before October 15th. As soon as I get additional information, I'll keep you posted.

2. MAIN STREET BRIDGE PROJECT: According to the contractor, the anticipated start date is on or about 9/20/2011. Again, as we get closer to the date I hope to have additional information for you.

3. NORTH TATAMY - METZ PARK: It was brought to Council's attention last night that the basketball courts at Metz Park are in need of rehabilitation. We will be investigating the cost and options to repair the court, and hope to have additional information at next month's meeting.

And now for "Other . . ."

As most of you probably know by now, there is a massive fire burning at Nicos Polymers in Plainfield Township this morning. Our very own Tatamy Fire Company was spotted there - photo courtesy to Nazareth Patch (Mallory Vough). Stay safe guys!

Borough Council - Tonight - 7:30PM

Just a friendly reminder, Tatamy Borough Council meets this evening at 7:30PM at the Borough Hall.

Some of the items on tonight's agenda include:

1. Traffic Lights - YES - they're FINALLY operational. We need to discuss the maintenance and upkeep agreement(s) that were proposed.

2. The Borough solicited for bids for some road paving work - specifically to finish up paving work that is way overdue for the back streets - (e.g. Green, West). The bids were received and Council will be awarding the contract to the lucky bidder.

3. Employee Handbook. This is long overdue - but we are in the process of drafting an Employee Handbook.

4. Main Street Bridge Construction. The Borough was offered a sum of money from PennDOT for some right-of-way easements. These will need to be reviewed and approved by Council.

That about sums it up folks. Hope to see you tonight at 7:30.

Traffic Signals - THEY'RE ON!!!

The long awaited Traffic Signal project at the corner of 8th and Main Streets, and at 8th Street and Mill Race / Commerce is just about completed. PennDOT was out this morning for their inspection and the lights are now activated. Within the first hour or so, we have had several near-misses and folks who ran the light(s). PLEASE make sure that you exercise extreme caution as you approach these intersections - especially for the first few weeks as we transition from four-way stops to a functioning traffic signal. We don't want any accidents - and, more importantly, we don't want to see anyone getting hurt.

Thanks!

Traffic Signals - An Update . . .

The day is coming . . . this Thursday in fact, that the long awaited traffic signals will FINALLY be energized. The plan is as follows:

1. FLASH. The signals will be energized this coming Thursday morning - sometime around 10AM or so. For about a week, they will be in FLASH mode. The signal at 8th and Main will flash RED in both directions (this is currently a 4-way STOP), and the signal at 8th and Commerce / Mill Race Drive will flash YELLOW on 8th Street, and RED at Commerce / Mill Race.

2. STANDARD. Once everything checks out for a week in FLASH mode, PennDOT is scheduled to perform their final inspection / certification and will permit the signals to operate in their standard RED-YELLOW-GREEN mode next Thursday, 7/28/2011.

If this schedule changes, I'll update this post, but for now - this is the plan.

PLEASE - be careful as we transition from the 4-way "blinker" to the new traffic light. We don't want any accidents.

Thanks!

Tornado Watch 'til 8PM

FYI - the National Weather Service has issued a Tornado Watch for our area until 8PM this evening.

It might be a good time to check your emergency preparedness plan and keep at least one eye toward the sky.

Be safe!

Memorial Day 2011

It's hard to believe that Memorial Day is here already. Time seems to be going by so quickly.

In any event, I would like to remind everyone that our annual Memorial Day service will be held on Monday, May 30, 2011 at 1PM in front of the Municipal Building on Broad Street.

I ask that if at all possible, please take 30 to 45 minutes out of your day to come and show your support for our local Veterans, past and present, who's service and sacrifices made Memorial Day possible.

I look forward to seeing you there!

Official Election Results (and Thank You . . .)

FYI - here are the election results from yesterday's Primary Election. I would like to thank those of you who supported me yesterday, and I would also like to thank those who supported Pam - who, if elected in November, would make a great asset to our team.

Election Day - Tuesday - May 17, 2011

I would like to ask for your support tomorrow, Tuesday, 5/17/2011 in the Primary Election. We have accomplished so much in the past four years - and there is so much left to do.

Thank you in advance for your support. It is greatly appreciated.

Main Street Bridge CLOSED

I know it's been a long time since I've posted anything here and for that I apologize. Life has gotten a little hectic.

In any event - I wanted to let everyone know that I just got word a few minutes ago that the Main Street bridge over the Bushkill Creek is "CLOSED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE". Detours are being posted.

As they say - PLEASE CONSIDER AN ALTERNATE ROUTE.

Any additional information I get will be passed along.

Thanks!