07/06/2026
Message from Mayor Jones:
We hope you and your families are safe and well.
Our thoughts are with everyone affected by the recent storm. Please know that your safety remains our highest priority. Harding Township Officials continue working around the clock alongside the Harding Township Police Department, the New Vernon Volunteer Fire Department, the New Vernon Volunteer Rescue Squad, the Department of Public Works, and our utility partners to respond to this emergency and restore normal operations as quickly and safely as possible.
The Township's Emergency Management Coordinator, Chief Michael Gromek, remains in regular communication with the Morris County Office of Emergency Management to receive the latest updates, coordinate information, and help ensure Harding Township has the most current situational awareness throughout the response and recovery effort.
Our Department of Public Works has been working tirelessly since the storm began to clear roadways and remove debris. For the safety of our crews and residents, debris that is entangled in power lines cannot be removed until JCP&L has confirmed those lines have been de-energized. While we understand this can be frustrating, these procedures are necessary to protect everyone involved and ensure recovery operations are conducted safely.
Residents are encouraged to rely on the Harding Township Police Department's official social media accounts, which can be found on the Harding Township Police Department website, www.hardingpd.org. We will release information regarding road closures, road openings, cooling and charging station locations and hours, and other storm related information. Individuals can also sign up for our alert text messaging system simply by sending the words ALERTHARDING to 67283.
For the most accurate information regarding power outages and estimated restoration times, please use JCP&L's outage reporting system. You can call JCP&L and report an outage directly at 888.544.4877. A map with the most up to date outages can be found at https://outages-nj.firstenergycorp.com
For your safety, please stay away from downed power lines and treat every line as if it is energized. Avoid travel on closed roadways and please allow emergency and utility crews the space they need to work safely.
We ask for your continued patience, cooperation, and understanding as recovery efforts continue. Every resident can assist by remaining informed, following official guidance, reporting hazardous conditions, and checking on neighbors who may need assistance.
Finally, I want to express my sincere gratitude to the Harding Township Police Department, the Harding Township Department of Public Works, the New Vernon Volunteer Fire Department, the New Vernon Volunteer Rescue Squad, the Morris County Office of Emergency Management, the crews at JCP&L, our volunteers, and every resident who has demonstrated patience, resilience, and willingness to help one another. Harding Township has always been a community that comes together during difficult times, and I am confident we will emerge stronger than before.
Township officials continue to actively seek updates from JCP&L regarding restoration efforts. Currently, we are awaiting a response from JCP&L. We recognize this is frustrating and we will continue advocating on behalf of our residents.
Thank you for your continued support and cooperation as we work together to restore our community:
Tim Jones
