After the extended power outage in the wake of the freak October 2011 snowstorm, Upper Milford Township residents Andy Young and David Lindstrom came to a supervisors meeting and asked if they could help coordinate responses to such emergencies to help their neighbors find shelter and other assistance.

Young and Lindstrom were back Dec. 6, in the wake of the lengthy power outage caused by Hurricane Sandy, asking whether there is a plan and how they could help.

"I'm concerned about what we can do," Young said.

Lindstrom said power outages are even more difficult for residents in Vera Cruz because the new sewer system, which is a pressurized system rather than gravity-fed, relies on pumps in the individual homes. The pumps operate by electricity, so residents without power can't even flush their toilets.

"I would be willing to get involved with trying to set up a way to help our neighbors," Lindstrom said.

Supervisor Robert Sentner noted the minister of Zions Lutheran Church had expressed similar concerns to supervisors a year ago, and suggested the two men contact the church and see what they can come up with.

Barry Williams, who was in the audience, said he is on the church council and the church has the capacity to serve as a shelter for 200 to 300 people. It has natural gas heat, kitchen and shower facilities and plenty of food because the local food bank is housed there.

"The only thing we need is a generator to run the well pump," he said.

Young said he would willingly donate money to help buy a generator. Supervisors suggested he and Lindstrom coordinate an effort to solicit donations for this purpose and to develop plans for future emergencies.

It would be more efficient for this to take place as a strictly private, volunteer effort rather than getting the government involved, Sentner said.

"I'm looking for five or six people to help coordinate efforts," Lindstrom said.

He and Young asked if the township would help get the word out to all residents once a plan is developed.

Supervisors Chairman Daniel Mohr noted a lot more residents had generators during this most recent power outage than last year, and related his experience with helping out one neighbor who didn't have a generator or any heat for the entire week.