County sets hearing dates to review land diversion for pipeline project

By Audrey Levine Staff Writer
   Somerset County is looking to divert 4.7 acres of open space to allow for a new gas pipeline to be constructed through Montgomery and Hillsborough.
   According to Tom Boccino, principal planner of land acquisition for the county, Transcontinental Gas Pipe Line Corporation (Transco) is looking to add a new pipeline from an area south of Amwell Road to just north of the Carrier Clinic, on East Mountain Road.
   ”The company needs to increase the service,” he said.
   Because the area on which the pipeline will be built runs through county open space, Mr. Boccino said, the county must submit an application to the New Jersey Green Acres program for a diversion of the land.
   ”We have to go through a diversion application for a new easement,” he said. “It will be a permanent right-of-way.”
   Mr. Boccino said the county is currently in the process of getting its approval to apply for the diversion, and is holding public hearings in both Hillsborough and Montgomery because the affected land runs through both towns. He said Transco is presenting its plans to both towns for approval to move forward.
   Montgomery Township held its public hearing for the diversion Tuesday night, and the county held its own hearing Wednesday night. Hillsborough will hold its hearing tonight (Thursday) at 7 p.m. in the municipal building.