Roselle Planning Board Delays PSE&G Substation Approval Amid Resident Outcries

ROSELLE, NJ — Roselle’s Planning Board tabled a measure to approve an electrical substation project undertaken by PSE&G until their June meeting following public outcry.The meeting, which occurred on May 6 at Borough Hall, included a presentation by PSE&G on their proposed plan to construct a new substation on the property located at 161 and 123 East 11th Avenue. PSE&G claims this has been planned for five years.“The intention of this application is to expand and reconstruct an existing substation that’s already located on the property,” Erica Parlavecchio, an Associate Attorney at CSG who was representing PSE&G, stated.The proposed plan would include two new 69/13kV transformers, 69kV circuit breakers and one 13kV switch gear enclosure, as well as building 70 foot tall lightning masts, perimeter fencing and a control house building.Richard Strauss, the senior project manager who oversees upgrades for electric infrastructure, stated that this project will improve PSE&G’s goals surrounding safety, reliability and resiliency of the electric grid.“Pretty much we just want to keep the lights on with respect to that mission,” Strauss said. “[By] installing this new facility where efficient capacity about electric and co-distribution network respected capacity, PSE&G continually evaluates the demand from customers. In particular, we call the transmission distribution system and this facility will provide these supply side of the capacity.”The proposed plan would serve approximately 9,000 customers in Roselle, serving an additional 10,000 residents in neighboring cities including Linden, Clark and Scotch Plains. If approved, the project timeline is roughly 1–2 years.Roselle’s Third Ward community, however, expressed frustration with the proposed PSE&G project as concerned residents filled the council chambers. When Chairwoman Janna Williams opened the forum for questions from the public, Councilwoman Cynthia Johnson questioned PSE&G representatives about the lack of public notice and about the general concerns with the project. She stated that she was at the meeting not as an elected official but as a resident and homeowner with her own concerns.“I want to know why weren't our members from our community and residents not informed of this project,” Ms. Johnson asked. "The question [is] why weren't residents informed of this project that they stated was in existence for five years.”She also raised questions about how the project will impact Roselle should the electrical grid fail in neighboring cities and the possible decrease in home values should the project proceed.Parlavecchio and Strauss emphasized that PSE&G had notified the community early this year through certified mailing and a public notice that was placed in the Union News Daily. Other residents raised concerns of potential environmental impacts, noise concerns, and liability should an incident occur. As tensions grew from public outcries and heated discussions, the Planning Board unanimously decided to table the measure and adjourn until the next scheduled meeting. The board encouraged PSE&G to hold a community meeting with the borough’s residents to address their concerns and frustrations. Mayor Donald Shaw offered his office as a point of contact to assist with organizing a community meeting. “I was not aware that they wanted a meeting until five minutes ago,” Shaw said, “Please contact our office, it’s not a problem.”The next Planning Board meeting will be held on June 3rd at 6pm in the Council Chambers at Borough Hall.