Hillsdale Council Votes to Support Substation Raise

The Hillsdale Council passed a resolution this week supporting PSE&G's proposed $3.9 billion infrastructure upgrade.

The plan calls for upgrades to protect more than 40 utility installations, replacement of gas lines and installation of improved poles and underground power lines. The state Board of Public Utilities has not yet approved the plan.

The Hillsdale substation, which was turned off during Hurricane Irene in 2011 because it flooded, has been included in PSE&G's plan.

Before the vote this week, Council President Tom Kelley asked if the project would worsen flooding downstream, noting that the borough has made an effort to investigate United Water's plan to upgrade the Woodcliff Lake Reservoir Dam for the same reason.

Mayor Max Arnowitz said he believed the plan only called for some of the equipment to be raised, and there would not be any new walls installed which might deflect water more immediately downstream.

Besides Hillsdale, the Bergen County facilities included for upgrades are located in Garfield, South Hackensack, Hackensack, Little ferry, New Milford, River Edge and East Rutherford.

PSE&G proposed a $2.6 billion cost over five years, but it may take an additional $1.3 billion and five extra years complete the entire project. It should have "little overall impact on residential or business customer bills," according to compnay officials.

Have a question or news tip? Contact editor Jim Leggate at Jim.Leggate@patch.com, or find us on Facebook and Twitter. For news straight to your inbox, sign up for our daily newsletter.