Storm cleanup continues
Published 8:53 pm Monday, July 26, 2004
By Staff
NILES -- Work continued throughout the city this weekend to clean up the mess left by Wednesday's storm.
An initial damage assessment of the area was completed by the Niles Building and Planning Department, Niles Township officials and Berrien County Emergency Management Deputies on Friday. The assessment was forwarded to the State for a possible disaster declaration.
Niles Utility personnel have been working long hours to make repairs to the primary and secondary power lines damaged by the storm. Power has now been restored throughout the city.
The Niles Street department and contracted crews were out this weekend chipping and removing the limbs and brush from the streets.
Due to the magnitude of the damage and the personnel costs related to the event, city crews will not be able to remove material from private property.
Residents are asked to drag limbs and brush less than eight inches in diameter, with cut ends facing out if possible, to the curb where it will be picked up.
Logs over eight inches must be removed at the owner's expense, as the city's chipper will not accommodate anything over that size.
Crews plan to make several passes through neighborhoods, so there is no need to call City Hall to get on a pick up list.
Residents are also asked to not cover the water meter pits and make sure that the limbs are a size able to be handled by two people.
If anyone city resident is still without power, call the City of Niles Utilities Department, at 683-4700.