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Ad Populos, Non Aditus, Pervenimus Published Every Thursday Since September 3, 1890 (908) 232-4407 USPS 680020 Thursday, March 14, 2019 OUR 129th YEAR – ISSUE NO. 11-2019 Periodical – Postage Paid at Rahway, N.J. www.goleader.com [email protected] ONE DOLLAR Concerns Raised Over Proposed PSE&G Power Grid Upgrade By PAUL J. PEYTON provide safe, reliable service. Con- poles. That work is expected to start Specially Written for The Westfield Leader struction crews will be actively work- “on or about” Monday, March 18, WESTFIELD — PSE&G has put ing on the PSE&G and public rights- along Scotch Plains Avenue, its power grid project for the south of-way in Westfield, as well as sur- Shackamaxon Drive, Rahway Avenue, side of Westfield on hold. The project rounding communities, to install taller, Grove Street, Central Avenue and Sy- is part of a statewide initiative. sturdier utility poles and run new elec- camore Street. Resident James Foerst, According to documents published tric wires along an existing pole line. a former town councilman, said the on the Westfield website, PSE&G There are no planned service inter- new power grid would stretch 2.1 miles. says it will be replacing 26kV utility ruptions associated with this work,” “In accordance with the Board of lines with 69kV transmission lines according to a letter sent to residents Public Utilities’ (BPU) Vegetation throughout its coverage areas. by PSE&G. Management Rules, we are required “PSE&G and its contractors will The utility’s work will start with to trim and remove trees, where nec- be upgrading the electric system in tree trimming and tree removal in essary. If applicable, trees that have your neighborhood to continue to preparation for replacement of utility been removed will be replaced with smaller, utility compatible trees,” ac- cording to a letter sent to residents on the streets impacted. “These upgrades are needed to address the increased demand for electric reliability throughout PSE&G service territory. As popu- lations have increased and consumer electronic needs have evolved, the 26kV legacy networks of the last century have been taxed. The addi- Courtesy of Raritan Valley Line Coalition PACKED HOUSE...Commuters and public officials pack the Westfield Train Station last Wednesday night to express their tion of a 69kV network will alleviate opinions and complaints to NJ Transit officials. NJ Transit Executive Director Patrick Corbett and New Jersey Department the demands on the existing 26kV of Transportation Commissioner Diane Gutierrez-Scaccetti heard from municipal officials, Union County Freeholders and state network,” according to a PSE&G representatives who demanded answers on the restoration of the one-seat ride service and train-service improvements. fact sheet on the project. Councilman Doug Stokes, who rep- resents the fourth ward where the upgrades are to occur, said in an email Mayor, Council Vow to Back obtained by The Westfield Leader that, “PSE&G...advised that this work is Kristan McAliney for The Westfield Leader required by the (New Jersey) Board UNITED RESIDENTS...A group of concerned citizens and local government of Public Utilities in order to enhance Residents In PSE&G Project gather Monday at a private residence on Scotch Plains Avenue to discuss the the current electrical system for all By FRED T. ROSSI chambers, nearly 20 residents spoke health and safety concerns related to PSE&G pole project. Assemblyman Jon Bramnick (R-21st, Westfield) led the Specially Written for The Westfield Leader discussion and took questions from the residents. The concern of the residents is residents which will limit and/or in opposition to the project that called any revised plans. the cutting down of old growth trees and safety from these high-powered lines that shorten future power outages due to WESTFIELD – Mayor Shelley for new, higher utility poles carrying Scotch Plains Avenue resident Jim will be 69 kV. Mr. Bramnick advised that he had been in contact with PSE&G and severe weather events or other sys- Brindle assured residents on Tuesday wires with three times the kilovolts as Foerst, a former member of the coun- was that the project is currently on “hold.” The local government including Ward tem failures.” that the town government shared their present. PSE&G planned to run the cil, addressed the governing body 4 Council members Doug Stokes and Dawn Mackey, Ward 3 Councilman Mark Mr. Stokes told The Leader that concerns about the now-halted new poles and wires from Scotch and exhorted members to “take up LoGrippo and former councilman Jim Foerst vow to fight to this plan and stand PSE&G has said the upgrade would PSE&G plan to upgrade its utility Plains Avenue south to Shackamaxon our cause” in opposition to the project as a united front for Westfield. enhance the electrical grid by connect- poles on the south side of town and Drive, then east to Rahway Avenue, and “stop PSE&G from ruining my ing two area substations, including threatened legal action if the utility then south to Grove Street and then to neighborhood.” He said Assembly- Cranford, thus lessening the risk of attempts to re-start the project with- Central Avenue before turning south man Jon Bramnick (R-21st, Westfield) 2019 Westfield Budget To power outages caused during severe out significant changes. to Sycamore Street and onto the has pledged his “100 percent sup- weather events such as hurricanes. At the town council’s meeting, Garwood border. port” to stopping the project. In the Include No Tax Increase Mr. Foerst expressed his concerns on which was attended by well over 100 The new poles would be 15 feet few days since the PSE&G project CONTINUED ON PAGE 10 residents who jammed the council higher than the existing ones. PSE&G became more widely known, Mr. By FRED T. ROSSI rate flat, but Mr. Gildea said there is had also planned to cut 54 trees and Foerst mobilized residents living Specially Written for The Westfield Leader still about $9.5 million in surplus trim another 43 in order to make along the affected streets, with more WESTFIELD — Town adminis- remaining, a level he called “very, Cranford Experts Express room for the new poles. than one hundred turning out for trator Jim Gildea says the 2019 town very healthy.” PSE&G, Mayor Brindle said, is Tuesday’s council meeting, most of budget will be introduced on March Some 59 percent of the budget this “very aware” of the town’s concerns them wearing blue ribbons as a show 26 and said “the big story” is that year will be funded via property Opinions on 750 Walnut and has been asked to look at poten- of solidarity against the project. there will be no increase in municipal taxes, and Councilwoman Linda By CHRISTINA M. HINKE mony, he said he has “areas of concern” tial alternative routes or solutions, “We can’t be a transmission alley property tax rates for the first time in Habgood reminded her colleagues Specially Written for The Westfield Leader pertaining to Hartz’s traffic engineer- including placing the wires under- for a private entity,” Mr. Foerst said many years. that this year’s rate is two percentage CRANFORD – James Brunette, a ing plan in regards to the site design and ground. She said the utility will host a as he pleaded with the council mem- At the town council’s conference points lower than last year as in- licensed real estate broker, and Maurice site circulation within the property. public workshop where residents will bers to oppose the project. “Anything meeting on Tuesday, Mr. Gildea creased revenues from other sources Rasched, licensed as a professional “In my opinion, the site is not have the chance to question PSE&G less,” he told the mayor and council, briefed the governing body on the have helped to keep property tax engineer, with a specialty in traffic designed...for large moving trucks,” representatives about the project and “is a dereliction of your duty.” $46.7-million spending plan, 38 per- rates in check. engineering, provided their opinions he said. whatever new plans are developed. David Krieger, a Shackamaxon cent of which is made up of salaries One revenue source that will not on 750 Walnut Avenue at the planning “A tractor trailer would have a dif- Town Attorney Thomas Jardim Drive resident, spoke at length about and wages for town employees. He increase this year — and which has board hearing last Wednesday. This ficult time maneuvering the site. When addressed residents on Tuesday night the “sense of horror” he experienced said the town’s “very good fiscal not risen for a number of years — is 30-acre tract of land is owned by Hartz people move, sometimes they use a and vowed the town “is ready to pur- last weekend upon learning of health” provided enough flexibility state aid, which will remain at $3.073 Mountain Industries, which is seeking larger vehicle for moving in or mov- sue all legal avenues to ensure PSE&G PSE&G’s plans. He cited possible to keep the municipal tax rate stable million. to rezone the property for residential ing out,” he said. acts in a reasonable manner.” He said health risks associated with being in while also funding various services Mr. Gildea said the town’s health use in order to erect 905 apartments. The internal roadway design does the utility needs to explore all viable close proximity to high-voltage wires and programs. insurance costs went down 5 percent Mr. Brunette spoke about the vi- not provide for a shoulder nor a bike alternative routes for the wiring as and said he didn’t want to play “Rus- He noted that the percentage in- while debt service will increase this ability of the industrial and the office lane or bike path.

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