Media Relations   Public Service Electric and Gas Company 80 Park Plaza, T-4 Newark, NJ 07102-4194 

PSE&G to Upgrade Aging Gas Pipes in Ridgewood

New lines will improve reliability and ensure continued safety of gas service

Public Service Electric & Gas Company (PSE&G) will be working in Ridgewood to replace nearly two miles of old gas pipes with new piping – ensuring a continued safe, clean and reliable gas system well into the future.

Beginning on June 16, work will take place Monday through Saturday between the hours of 7 a.m. and 5 p.m., weather permitting. The gas main replacement portion of the work is expected to be completed by the fall. The paving and street restoration is expected to be completed in the spring of 2018.

“These upgrades are part of PSE&G’s three-year program to replace 510 miles of aging gas infrastructure throughout New Jersey,” said Joe Forline, vice president of gas operations for PSE&G. “After decades of being in the ground, old cast iron pipes can crack and unprotected steel may corrode. The new durable, plastic pipes will improve reliability, reduce the possibility of leaks, and ensure the continued safety of gas service for customers.”

PSE&G is committed to keeping customers in Ridgewood informed about where and when the work will take place. Residents will be notified when work begins in their area by mail, door hangers and social media. Customers can find more information, including a list of streets and video of how the work is performed at www.pseg.com/gaswork. 

“The investments PSE&G is making to upgrade its aging gas infrastructure will benefit all Ridgewood residents by ensuring continued safe and reliable service,” said Mayor Susan Knudsen. “PSE&G is coordinating with the local police who will be directing traffic around work areas. We appreciate the patience of our residents while PSE&G performs this important work in our town.”

How the work will be done Before construction can start, the utility tests soil and digs test holes to verify the location of existing gas pipe. When this preliminary work is complete, PSE&G will begin installing the new gas lines.

• To upgrade the gas lines, PSE&G digs trenches, primarily in road surfaces, and lays new pipes block by block to minimize disruptions. There will be short-term road closures and detours during construction. Local police direct vehicle and pedestrian traffic. At the end of each workday, the trenches are filled in and protective plates secured on any open areas so people can safely drive and walk. Customers always have access to their driveways.

• When possible, the utility does not dig on properties. If PSE&G does have to dig on a customer’s property, the utility restores any disturbance after the service line is installed. Grass areas are repaired and seeded, and concrete or asphalt openings are patched until final restoration work is scheduled.

• After construction, a PSE&G technician needs to access the customer’s home to connect the service line and gas meter to the new gas main. The utility contacts homeowners to arrange a date and time to do the work. During this reconnection, customers can expect to be without gas service for about 4 hours.

• If a gas meter is inside, PSE&G relocates it to the outside of the customer’s home or business. A technician relights all appliances and makes sure they are working safely before leaving a home.

• When work is finished, the utility repairs roads with temporary pavement until the ground settles. This takes about 45 to 90 days. PSE&G then restores the roads with permanent paving in accordance with town ordinance and paving requirements.

### Public Service Electric and Gas Company (PSE&G) is New Jersey’s oldest and largest regulated gas and electric delivery utility, serving nearly three-quarters of the state’s population. PSE&G is the winner of the ReliabilityOne Award for superior electric system reliability. PSE&G is a subsidiary of Public Service Enterprise Group Incorporated (PSEG) (NYSE:PEG), a diversified energy company (www.pseg.com).

Visit PSEG at: www.pseg.com PSEG on Facebook PSEG on Twitter PSEG on LinkedIn PSEG blog, Energize!

The 2017 theme for the Ridgewood Fourth of July Celebration is “Honoring Those Who Serve.” The parade will be held, rain or shine, on Tuesday, July 4, 2017. The day’s full festivities include:

• Flag Raising: 9:00AM

Wilsey Square (Ridgewood train station parking lot)

Short program followed by traditional flag raising: Although the parade and firework portions of the day have on occasion been cancelled, the flag raising has occurred without interruption since the start of the committee in 1910.

• Parade: Beings at 10:00AM (rain or shine)

Parade runs along Godwin Ave and onto Ridgewood Ave through downtown, turning right on Maple Ave past the grand stand at Village Hall and ends at Leuning Park Follow the line of chairs set up by residents securing their spot. Don’tmiss the competitive elementary school float competition and the Grand Marshal for this year, Bob Paoli, American Legion Post 53 Commander.

• Evening Entertainment and Fireworks: Gates open at 6:00PM

Veterans Field (on the corner of Maple Ave and Linwood)

The field is the ideal place to see the fireworks, which have been named the best in Bergen County by 201 Magazine for 11 years running. Bands and food/beverage vendors keep you entertained until dusk. Tickets are sold in advance at various local stores for $10, tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for children 6-12 at the gate. Children five years and under are admitted for free. NEW this year --tickets available for sale online. Check the website for more details, rules and regulations.

About the Ridgewood Fourth of July Celebration

The Ridgewood Fourth of July Celebration is organized by the Ridgewood Fourth of July Celebration, Inc., an all-volunteer, non-profit community group. All aspects of this annual celebration including fireworks, bands, evening performers, insurance, police and fire personnel are funded by voluntary contributions from local businesses and individuals. The Committee continues to require the generous donations from the community to keep the tradition alive. The Ridgewood tradition began in 1910 when the local papers, the civic section of the Woman's Club and the Ridgewood Fire Department joined forces to create a “safe and sane” holiday with an emphasis on Patriotism.  

Adopt-a-Tree Applications

Due by June 30th, 2017

Ridgewood, NJ — The Ridgewood Shade Tree Commission is offering village residents an opportunity to improve the beauty and value of their properties with its Adopt-a-Tree program. Property owners have until June 30^th to submit an application to have a tree planted in the median (village owned property) in front of their home.

Residents are able to select a tree from an approved list of native species, specifically chosen for their ability to provide shade and flourish close to the street. If the application meets all the criteria (i.e. doesn’t interfere with underground utilities, power lines), property owners pay a fee to cover the cost of purchasing and planting the tree, which happens each autumn.

As part of the process of obtaining a new tree, residents also agree to the maintenance of the newly planted tree, such as ongoing watering, weeding, and mulching.

Don’t miss out on this wonderful opportunity to improve the air quality and curb appeal of your home. Applications can be found on the Shade Tree Commission’s website, www.ridgewoodshadetree.org and are due by June 30^th.

Additional questions or comments can be sent to Monica Buesser, mbuesser@gmail.com.

About the Ridgewood Shade Tree Commission

The Ridgewood Shade Tree Commission’s (STC) purpose is to protect, preserve and enhance the shade trees in the village. Shade Trees are defined as trees planted next to streets on the Village’s property. The STC’s goals are to foster public-private partnerships to 1) educate the community about the contribution shade trees make to the Village environment and, 2) increase the number of shade trees in the village by actively promoting community tree planting programs.

Photo caption: Adopted Red Maple tree planted along Godwin Avenue. Michael Sedon, Ridgewood Deputy Mayor, Tim Cronin, Parks and Recreation Department, Andrew Lowry, Ridgewood Shade Tree Commission and Crew.

Ridgewood Fourth of July Celebration, Inc. P.O. Box 140 Ridgewood, NJ  07451

FIREWORKS TICKETS AVAILABLE AT:

Backyard Living 

Connect One Bank 

Daily Treat 

Goffle Brook Farms 

Hillmann Electric 

Ridgewood Auto Wash 

Ridgewood Cycle Shop 

Town and Country 

Wine Seller 

2017 Ridgewood Fourth of July Celebration Launches 50/50 Raffle to Fundraise for its 107th Annual Celebration -

Grand Prize winner will have a chance to win up to $25,000   Ridgewood, NJ – June 14, 2017 - The Ridgewood Fourth of July Celebration Committee today announced the launch of a 50/50 raffle to help fundraise for its 2017 celebration. The Committee will sell tickets at various community events now through July 3, 2017.

Tickets are $100 dollars each, with a maximum of 600 tickets sold. If the maximum number of tickets is sold, the Grand Prize winner will receive $25,000 dollars. There will also be ten $500 prize winners. Winners will be announced at 8:30PM on July 4th, prior to the fireworks display at Veteran’s Field. Visit www.ridgewoodjuly4th.com or contact 201-602-1922 for information on where to purchase tickets.

“We are grateful to have generous and committed sponsors, but we always look for new, fun ways to encourage the community to help Support the Tradition,” said Leigh Gilsenan, president of the Ridgewood Fourth of July Celebration Committee. “Few people realize this is an all-volunteer, community funded event that receives no direct funding from the village – and costs increase every year.” 

The 2017 theme for the Ridgewood Fourth of July Celebration is “Honoring Those Who Serve.” The parade will be held, rain or shine, on Tuesday, July 4, 2017. The day’s full festivities include:

• Flag Raising: 9:00AM Wilsey Square (Ridgewood train station parking lot)  Short program followed by traditional flag raising: Although the parade and firework portions of the day have on occasion been cancelled, the flag raising has occurred without interruption since the start of the committee in 1910.   • Parade: Beings at 10:00AM (rain or shine) Parade runs along Godwin Ave and onto Ridgewood Ave through downtown, turning right on Maple Ave past the grand stand at Village Hall and ends at Leuning Park Follow the line of chairs set up by residents securing their spot. Don’t miss the competitive elementary school float competition and the Grand Marshal for this year, Bob Paoli, American Legion Post 53 Commander.

• Evening Entertainment and Fireworks: Gates open at 6:00PM Veterans Field (on the corner of Maple Ave and Linwood) The field is the ideal place to see the fireworks, which have been named the best in Bergen County by 201 Magazine for 11 years running. Bands and food/beverage vendors keep you entertained until dusk. Tickets are sold in advance at various local stores for $10, tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for children 6-12 at the gate.  Children five years and under are admitted for free. NEW this year --tickets available for sale online. Check the website for more details, rules and regulations.

About the Ridgewood Fourth of July Celebration

The Ridgewood Fourth of July Celebration is organized by the Ridgewood Fourth of July Celebration, Inc., an all-volunteer, non-profit community group. All aspects of this annual celebration including fireworks, bands, evening performers, insurance, police and fire personnel are funded by voluntary contributions from local businesses and individuals. The Committee continues to require the generous donations from the community to keep the tradition alive. The Ridgewood tradition began in 1910 when the local papers, the civic section of the Woman's Club and the Ridgewood Fire Department joined forces to create a “safe and sane” holiday with an emphasis on Patriotism.