OUR NEIGHBORHOOD. OUR FUTURE.

NO PSE&G SUBSTATION IN MONTCLAIR CENTER!

Dear Neighbors,

The Montclair Town Council is making moves to sell our municipal building at 205 Claremont Avenue and two adjacent properties to PSE&G for the construction of a large-scale electrical utility substation. While the town looks to cash in to build a new municipal building elsewhere, this project will permanently alter our streetscape and change the character of our neighborhood forever. Our residential neighborhood in the heart of Montclair Center is simply not the appropriate setting for a massive industrial facility.

WHAT YOU CAN DO

The good news is that we have a critical window to fight this before the town makes an irreversible decision. Attend meetings, ask questions, and make your concerns heard!

  1. Get updates

    Join our neighborhood notification list for meeting changes and next steps.

    Join the list

    or email neighborsclaremont@gmail.com

  2. Email the Mayor and Council

    Send our letter to the Mayor and Council, in your own name.

    Write to the Council

  3. Come to the meeting

    Tuesday, October 20 · 7:00 PM
    Municipal Building, 205 Claremont Ave

    Add to calendar

    Add to Google Calendar

    Scheduled PSE&G presentation and Town Council consideration of the redevelopment plan. Council vote currently scheduled for Tuesday, November 10. Dates and times are subject to change; check the town’s council agendas.

EMAIL THE MAYOR AND COUNCIL

Your email will be pre-addressed to the Mayor and Council, with the letter below. Add your name, make it your own, and send. (Please review before sending)

Open in my email app Open in Gmail

Dear Mayor Baskerville and Members of the Township Council,

I am writing to express my concern about the proposed PSE&G electrical substation at 205 Claremont Ave.

This residential neighborhood in the heart of Montclair Center is not an appropriate setting for a large-scale industrial facility. Such a development would significantly alter the character of the neighborhood, with impacts including the loss of mature trees, industrial noise and high-intensity lighting, increased overhead wiring and visual clutter, and traffic disruptions on an intensively used, already congested street.

In addition, the heavy utility equipment, security fencing and monitoring, restricted access required through and following construction of this electric transfer substation will create a “dead zone,” in a much-loved, walkable, welcoming town center and adversely affect our community's homes and businesses.

I ask instead that you reverse the plans for this and preserve the Town Center. I believe this centrally located municipal property represents a valuable opportunity for Montclair’s future. I urge the Council to carefully consider the potential impacts on all residents of Montclair Center before making a decision with irreversible consequences.

Thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely,
INSERT YOUR NAME HERE

Who receives it

Download the letter as a Word file

WHAT COULD THIS MEAN FOR OUR NEIGHBORHOOD?

Our corridor already accommodates important community responsibilities, including a 24/7 emergency route to the hospital and supportive housing. We have been good neighbors for many years. Adding a disruptive industrial utility facility to this residential area is a step too far! It threatens to bring:

  • A Downtown “Dead Zone”: Large utility equipment and restricted access zones will interrupt the active, pedestrian-friendly character of our walkable neighborhood.
  • Visual Clutter & Lost Trees: Aggressive clear-cutting or trimming of our mature street trees to clear paths for tall overhead wiring, transformers and security fencing.
  • Noise Pollution and Industrial Lighting: A constant, low-frequency transformer hum, bright industrial lighting.
  • Safety and Security Concerns: High-voltage equipment next to residential properties. Video surveillance.
  • Demolition of a Safe Haven: In addition to destroying the municipal building, the proposal would also require demolition of a women’s emergency shelter at 68 N. Fullerton Ave.
  • Traffic/ Construction: Prolonged detours, heavy utility vehicle staging and disruptions on an already busy street.
  • Altered streetscape: Visual blight could undermine the appeal of nearby homes and businesses.
  • Lost Opportunity: Rather than selling off a large parcel of land in a town where land is scarce, Montclair should protect this space for future community-centered opportunities.