FREEHOLD — A new project to be completed by Jersey Central Power and Light (JCP&L) will benefit residents in the Spring Street and Center Street areas of Freehold Borough in the event of a power outage, according to Mayor Nolan Higgins.
Higgins said municipal officials recently met with representatives from JCP&L to hear details of the upgrade.
“A line is being installed which will provide a tie-in point for Hudson Manor and the Rug Mill Towers in the event of an out- age in that area. This will not guarantee uninterrupted service, but it is an improvement in our infrastructure which should help with service restoration,” the mayor said.
Hudson Manor, Hudson Street, is a residence for senior citizens, and the Rug Mill Towers, Jackson Street, is an apartment complex for individuals of all ages.
Higgins said JCP&L representative Gerry Ricciardi has been his contact with the utility company.
“I am very pleased JCP&L is addressing a concern in the borough, namely the Rug Mill Towers apartment complex. JCP&L has been responsive to our requests, and Gerry Ricciardi is always available when I reach out to him. I consider this upgrade in our service [to be] a significant improvement in infrastructure made by JCP&L,” the mayor added.
JCP&L spokesman Ron Morano said, “Freehold Borough officials brought a concern to our attention regarding the need for power in that area during power outages, and we are addressing it.”
Morano said JCP&L is working on a project that will replace existing utility poles and place new poles and new wires in the area of Spring Street and cross Main Street.
“We will also create a circuit tie which will enable us to connect customers to another circuit in the area in the event of a power outage,” he said, noting that includes the Rug Mill Towers and Hudson Manor.
At the present time, the Freehold Raceway Mall substation serves the Spring Street area, according to Morano, who said the circuit tie will enable JCP&L to use the Freehold substation on Route 33 as well in the event of a power outage.