Frustrations Reach Boiling Point at Second Storm-Related Community Info Session

The only things missing were the pitchforks, tar and feathers.

The scene was the Police Athletic League Wednesday night. Town officials and residents gathered for the second of two Community Information Sessions held that day. The idea behind the meetings was for citizens to hear from township department heads about services available to help people get their lives back to normal after the devastation left in the wake of Hurricane Irene.

The morning meeting was contentious enough, but ended on a positive note. The evening gathering was a lot more acrimonious, likely due to the fact that this session featured something the morning one didn't: a presentation from United Water, the firm responsible for the Boonton Reservoir Dam.

John Hroncich, who manages the company's Jersey City operation, tried to explain to the audience of about 300 why it released dam waters for a short time on Friday and then warned of another release on Sunday and then cancelled it, not long before floods rolled into town.

Hroncich's story mirrored that of : Water was released Friday at the urging of Gov. Chris Christie and the state Department of Environmental Protection. That release was halted when water began to recede. On Sunday, water levels came within 6 to 8 inches of the top of the dam, setting off an automatic warning, which was carried by Parsippany Police and local media, including Patch.

The company insists, however, that it did not release dam waters on Sunday. The storm, which brought heavy rains, created conditions that led to a breach of the Rockaway River's flood wall.

Many people in attendance did not buy that explanation and fired angry, overlapping questions in his direction. On several occasions, Mayor James Barberio stepped up to try to calm the crowd, but some would not be denied the opportunity to express themselves.

Ultimately, Hroncich, clearly overwhelmed by the rage coming his way, gave up and walked away from the podium, though he remained to take individuals' questions later in the evening.

Another eruption of rage occurred when audience members hurled more angry questions. A man stood and began shouting in frustration over questions such as where affected residents will live while officials determine whether air and soil are safe enough to allow habitation, questions that as yet cannot be answered with assurance.

Mayor Barberio raised his voice and ordered the crowd to keep things orderly, but the man would not stop yelling. 

"Sir, we're not here to hurt you, we're here to help you," the mayor insisted.

"This is the worst I've ever seen it," the man cried.

"I know, this is the worst you've ever seen it," the mayor agreed. "It's the worst I've ever seen it. We need to be a community. That's why we're here tonight." 

Still, the man kept raging.

Finally, a visibly upset Barberio walked toward him and began to shout in return.

"Do you think for one second that we brought the storm to you? We didn't! And when it came, these guys worked very hard, because we care!," he said. "We didn't bring this storm to you. If I could have averted this storm, I would have done it. But I couldn't. I'm not God! But when this storm came, we did what we could. We feel the same pain you feel! It's killing me inside! We were pulling people out of the water! It hurts!

"Believe me, I want to help you, help everyone as much as I can. But if you're going to fight us, we can't help you," he continued. "Please take the help!"

An emotional Barberio then addressed the crowd, talking about having lived in Parsippany since he was 4 years old and about the pain he feels over seeing his beloved Lake Hiawatha in chaos.

"I watched all you people get put into those boats. It really disturbed me,  it hurt," he said. "I watched this young woman on Lake Shore Drive… Do you really think that we are here to hurt you?"

Eventually, the audience calmed down, and a succession of township department heads presented information to residents on moving forward post-flood.

New Police Chief Anthony DeZenzo, noting his own Lake Hiawatha roots, told the crowd that they had his "heart and compassion." he announced that a command post is running in lower Hiawatha and high-visibility patrols are underway.

DeZenzo urged residents to call the police non-emergency line at 973-263-4300 if they need assistance.

"We are truly committed to you folks," he said.

Chief Rick Egbert of Lake Hiawatha Fire Department District 4 encouraged audience members to come to the firehouse, which is serving as the town's Flood Damage Assessment Center, to register and get information regarding gaining access to their homes to tally up losses. He added that his company, along with those from Rainbow Lakes, Rockaway Borough and Morris Plains are available to help pump out flooded basements.

"You don't have to be at home for a pumpout," he advised, "but you must leave a door open."

The fire chief said the state Department of Environmental Protection was able to get funds to hire a private contractor, Atlantic Response, to start doing pumpout.

Egbert also gave a shoutout to the Parsippany-Troy Hills Volunteer Fire Company District 5 for its work dealing with hazardous material matters. He said this company would do home-to-home assessments to help homeowners deal with oil and propane gas in their houses.

Parsippany Office of Emergency Management Coordinator Eric Hubner spoke next. He offered statistics: 

• 860 homes were damaged in the flood.10 were destroyed.
• 400 suffered major damage (more than 1 foot of water in living space).
• 250 suffered minore damage (less than 1 foot of water in living space).
• 200 were "affected" by the flood.

Hubner said many homes are dealing with issues from having overturned fuel tanks in their basements. He said Morris County OEM is doing assessments with help from Parsippany's District 5 Fire Company. He noted as well that the federal Environmental Protection Agency had arrived to help, on the heels of news that President Obama declared a state of emergency in five New Jersey counties, including Morris.

Health Officer Carlo DiLizia gave a dire warning to residents.

"This is a strong recommendation," he said. "If you have an oil tank that leaked in your house, do not live there again until you get clearance from officials. If you smell oil, contact [Lake Hiawatha Fire Company] District 4."

Director of Human Services Barbara Ievoli reported that the Evacuation Staging Center, which served as a short-term shelter during the crisis, was shutting its doors as of Wednesday. She said 298 people had found refuge there, "even the yappy dogs," and that a total of 445 people were placed into safe spaces.

Ievoli announced that the Community Center would serve as a central point for people to obtain information regarding health concerns. She also reminded residents that ultimately, the primary thing that mattered was that no one in Parsippany died because of the storm.

"Everybody's here," she said. "Not one life was lost."

And she reminded attendees that the only way to survive the storm's aftermath is to do it one day at a time.

Scott DiGiralomo of the Morris County Office of Emergency Management called Irene a "500 year flood." Acknowledging the federal declaration of the state of emergency, he said that Federal Emergency Management Agency would now be available to help with the disaster recovery effort.
He warned residents to manage their expectations and urged them to register with FEMA by calling 800-621-3362.

Construction Code Officer Edward Corcoran announced that outside of cases involving new appliances and construction, the town would waive the need for permits and fees. He also implored homeowners to have their electrical and plumbing systems inspected, noting that safety was the paramount concern.

Housing Coordinator Rena Plaxe said that to allow for the use of apartments as short-term shelter for residents, there would be reduced enforcement of occupancy ordinance limits on how many people can live in them for a four-month period. For more information, contact the housing office at 973-263-4280.

More details on services available to flood victims can be found .