Recently, South Orange residents have reported a strong gas odor in the area of Flood’s Hill near Meadowbrook Park. Several have expressed concern on online message boards Next Door West Montrose and Maplewood Online, with some noting the problem has existed for many years, and that PSEG has frequently repaired various gas leaks around town.
The Village Green asked township officials about the situation.
“We have investigated…and can report that we have no indication of any sewer gas escape or leak,” said Township Administrator Barry Lewis on Tuesday. “However, the odor has been previously reported to PSEG as there is a gas main in the area and we are aware of numerous gas leaks in this vicinity and around the Village.”
Lewis said the Village is actively following up with PSEG to “push for prompt attention to this particular area and the reported gas odor.”
Director of Public Works Tom Michetti said the village had notified PSEG Tuesday by phone and email and “they assured us that they will have crews at that location within the next couple of days to evaluate and do what is necessary to remediate this issue. Hopefully this issue will be corrected soon. We will keep all posted and updated moving forward.”
A PSEG van was at the site around 5 p.m. Tuesday; an employee confirmed the town had been in contact with the utility and PSEG was investigating the possible leak.
We will follow up on this situation and report on any further developments.
