Got Branches?

Verona’s Buildings & Grounds and Public Works Departments are continuing to pick up branches of trees damaged by the Halloween weekend snow storm, both street trees and those on your property. Unlike normal yard clean-up days, you do not need to tie the branches: Simply place the limbs near the curb, but try to keep the sidewalk and street clear.

If a clean-up crew has already been to your street but you have not finished clearing up, don’t worry. “We’ll be doing this for weeks,” said a crew member on Friday.

Do not attempt to cut broken limbs from street trees–that is the town’s responsibility. To alert the town to problems with a street tree, call Public Works at 973-857-4804 or the non-emergency number for the Verona Police, 973-239-5000.

You should however have a clean cut made to any breaks in trees on your property so that the tree does not become further damaged or diseased. If you call a tree service, know that because New Jersey declared a state of emergency over the storm, state rules against price gouging are in effect. If you have a question about a contractor or suspect price gouging, you can call the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs at 800-242-5846.

And check with your insurance carrier. Even where branches did not fall on a house or vehicle, some Verona residents have found that they can file a claim under their homeowners policies to clean up their trees. (If you lost food when you lost power, you should also look into filing a claim. Some residents have been covered up to $500.)

If you want to learn more about how the storm affected Verona, it is likely to be one of the topics for discussion at tonight’s Town Council meeting. The meeting starts at 7 p.m. in the Council chambers in Town Hall.