UPPER FREEHOLD — A representative of New Jersey Resources said the company is willing to participate in a public hearing that would provide information about the possible installation of high-pressure gas lines in Upper Freehold Township.
A discussion about a plan under consideration by New Jersey Natural Gas (NJNG) executives to run high-pressure gas lines through the municipality took place during the Dec. 4 meeting of the Township Committee.
NJNG is a subsidiary of New Jersey Resources.
Residents who have recently observed surveyors working in Upper Freehold attended the meeting in search of additional details about what was taking place.
Township Manager Dianne Kelly said she was contacted by representatives of the gas company about two weeks ago.
“New Jersey Natural Gas contacted me to discuss a preliminary proposal for highpressure lines throughout Upper Freehold. They are considering a variety of different routes and said they are in the very early stages of this proposal,” Kelly said.
Mayor LoriSue Mount and the rest of the committee members indicated they had not been made aware of the issue prior to the Dec. 4 meeting.
“I do not understand why New Jersey Natural Gas did not contact me as the mayor. … We are the governing body,” Mount said.
According to preliminary maps that were presented to the governing body, the gas company would install lines from its service areas west and south of Upper Freehold.
The gas lines would affect several roads in the township, according to Kelly.
Committeeman Stanley Moslowski Jr. said the lines that the gas company is considering installing would not service any residents of Upper Freehold.
“No one will use this high-pressure system, and I would not want it anywhere near my property,” Moslowski said.
The planned infrastructure is likely to update the gas company’s regional system, according to municipal officials.
Kelly said NJNG representatives indicated they are looking to construct the gas lines next fall. Surveyors have been scouting and measuring possible areas for the installation of the infrastructure, which is another issue about which the township was not notified.
“This is definitely an issue for our farmland and open space, and I also have serious concerns about our local businesses and residences being affected,” Kelly said.
Officials said they would review roadopening permit ordinances to determine if those laws could be used to make it more difficult for the gas lines to be placed in Upper Freehold.
“This entire proposal from New Jersey Natural Gas is against our favor,” Mount said.
The mayor said the committee would request a public hearing with the gas company in order to inform the public about the project and listen to residents’ concerns.
Several residents said they would like information about the possible routes for the gas lines. Residents supported a review of Upper Freehold’s road-opening ordinances and the municipal officials’ stated concern for the safety of homeowners and their family members.
Michael Kinney, a senior communications specialist at New Jersey Resources, said the installation of the high-pressure gas lines is part of an update to the gas company’s infrastructure.
“These lines are part of our Southern Reliability Link, which is the second major feed from an interstate pipeline system. This system connects to a major interstate system that extends through Middlesex, Monmouth and Ocean counties,” Kinney said.
He said surveyors have been working in Upper Freehold. Kinney said representatives of the gas company plan to meet with local officials to discuss how the project could be completed with minimal impact on the community.
“We would not be opposed to having a public hearing about the issue in the future,” he said.
Contact Taylor M. Lier at [email protected].