HOWELL – The Township Council has rejected a proposal to open a newly paved road so that gas service may be shut off at a vacant home.
A resolution that would have authorized relief from a municipal road opening moratorium at 14 Wilson Drive, Howell, so that New Jersey Natural Gas could retire a service line was unanimously rejected by council members on Nov. 21.
Howell Director of Community Development Jim Herrman explained the history behind the resolution and said he had “numerous go-rounds with the gas company.”
He said the gas company “has a policy in place for when there is an abandoned property for longer than two years. They have an agreement with the (New Jersey Board of Public Utilities) that they will remove the gas service.”
Herrman said that years ago a contractor in another community began working in an abandoned house and did not know there was an active gas line and an explosion occurred.
He said he has asked New Jersey Natural Gas to shut off service to the house at the meter on the curb.
“Even though we just paved the road, (the gas company is) saying the BPU is forcing their hand and requiring them to open the street, to cut off service at the street and to not allow them anymore gas service until someone buys the house and starts over,” Herrman told the council.
Herrman said if that was done and if the house was eventually purchased, the road would have to be reopened in order to restart the gas service.
“Can (service) not be cut off at the house? Why do they have to open up a brand new paved street? I am not into arguing about it. Do I have to vote to approve for them to rip up a brand new paved street?” Councilman Bob Walsh said, adding that service can be halted without opening the street.
Herrman said service can be halted, but not in a way that would meet “their (the gas company’s) rules.” He recommended that the council deny the request for relief from the moratorium and said he would direct the gas company to pursue a different option to shut off gas service to the house.
Councilwoman Evelyn O’Donnell asked if any state regulations are involved in the matter, but Herrman said there is only an agreement between the gas company and the BPU.
Walsh made a motion to deny the request for a road opening permit and he, O’Donnell, Councilwoman Pauline Smith and Mayor Theresa Berger affirmed the denial of the permit. Deputy Mayor Robert Nicastro was absent.