Library Officials: We'll Probably Have Permanent Electric Power Not Long After Reopening

While asbestos removal has been completed and contamination cleanup continues, officials have yet to set a date for the reopening of the Morristown & Morris Township Public Library.

"We're working toward getting everything ready," said Maria Norton, interim director for the library. "There is no date set, no ball park."

TTI Environmental, of Moorestown, has completed the asbestos abatement and is currently working on contamination cleanup in the old wing of the library, where a May 3 explosion in the basement caused the closure. No one was injured as a result of the explosion. Ron Morano, spokesman for JCP&L, said a source has yet to be found in regard to what caused the explosion.

JCP&L is continuing on securing easements from neighboring property owners to install an overhead transformer, which would provide power to the library temporarily. Morano said, however, "we have met some resistance."

While cleanup continues, Norton said library employees have begun to move some supplies from the library's temporary location across the street back into the library. Books that have been deemed properly cleaned also are being shelved, she said.

Once the library finally does open, it will have a 90-day temporary certificate of occupancy. However, Norton said, "we're thinking we will have permanent electric before that."