MONTGOMERY: Committee to explore pipeline project resolution

After hearing concerns from multiple citizens, the Township Committee agreed to explore the idea of following in Princeton’s footsteps and drafting a resolution in response to the proposed Tra

By Charley Falkenburg, Staff Writer
   MONTGOMERY — After hearing concerns from multiple citizens, the Township Committee agreed to explore the idea of following in Princeton’s footsteps and drafting a resolution in response to the proposed Transco pipeline expansion project.
   Montgomery would be impacted by one of the two proposed projects dubbed the “Skillman Loop.”
   Transco wants to run a pipeline adjacent to an existing line, cutting through 1.3 miles in Princeton and into Montgomery for another 5.3 miles. The Williams Company, based out of Oklahoma, would be building the pipeline that aims to accommodate an influx of natural gas coming from Pennsylvania.
   The project is expected to directly impact local open space and about 50 Montgomery homeowners.
   Like Princeton, it also has the community concerned about the environmental impact of the construction. With the public comment period for the proposal nearing its end-of-June deadline, a few residents came out to the committee meeting on June 6 to urge the Township Committee to draft a resolution, requesting the company fulfill the proper repairs should the project become a reality.
   One of the restorations expected by Williams, is to plant three new trees for every one that is taken down during the construction. However, Clem Fiori, the chair of the Open Space Committee, didn’t think that was enough.
   ”Whatever remediation the company proposes is going to be minimal, but I think we need to ask for more,” said Mr. Fiori. “I know this project has a lot of federal legislation behind it so it’s easy to say it’s going to happen anyway, but I think the greatest challenge has to be made up front — even if you don’t think you’re going to get everything.”
   Mr. Fiori, along with others, suggested modeling a resolution after the one in Princeton, which includes the need for an environmental impact study.
   ”At this point, the environmental impact is unknown and an environmental impact statement is necessary,” added Joan McGee, of the Stony Brook-Millstone Watershed Association. “You need to contact the residents affected and let them know they are not alone in this process and that there is strength in numbers.”
   Mayor Ed Trzaska confirmed the Township Committee was reviewing the Princeton resolution. If the committee agrees to draft its own, it appears it would include the need for an environmental impact study as well as transparency from Williams about the process.
   ”The worst thing is for anyone to have any surprises during this process,” said Mayor Trzaska. “We’re working to make sure that if it gets approved, we do our due diligence in making sure the company does what it says it’s going to do and that they give our residents and environmental teams whatever information they need to feel more comfortable with the situation.”
   The Township Committee expects to further discuss the possibility of a draft and its parameters at its next meeting on June 20.
   In addition, Montgomery’s elected officials and town professionals confirmed they would be attending the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s upcoming public hearing on the gas-line project. The hearing is scheduled for June 13 at 7 p.m. at the Hillsborough Township Middle School.
   Hillsborough would be affected by Williams’ other proposed project — the Pleasant Run Loop — which would run almost seven miles through Somerset and Hunterdon Counties.
   Although the project only needs approval at the federal level — which is often daunting to local municipalities — Montgomery’s elected officials appeared intent on not letting that deter them from trying to prevent their community from getting shortchanged.
   ”Just because we may or may not have an impact on the approval itself, doesn’t mean we can’t make a big impact on how the work is done in Montgomery, how the company engages with the public and how informed we are,” said Mayor Trzaska. “That’s definitely our responsibility and it’s something we take seriously.”