Toms River to Utilities Board: JCP&L Giving Sandy-Stricken Residents 'The Runaround'

Toms River officials are appealing to the Board of Public Utilities to investigate JCP&L’s alleged "runaround" as homeowners try to rebuild from Superstorm Sandy damage.

Some residents rebuilding their homes—especially on the barrier island—are being told that they are responsible for installing a new utility pole or to contact the township for the installation, according to Toms River officials.

But, pole installations are JCP&L's responsibility, Township Council members said in a resolution passed last week.

“I think our residents have suffered enough. This is not something they should have to deal with on an ongoing basis,” said council President George Wittmann, who pushed for the creation of the resolution.

The electric provider is telling customers that they “may be responsible for the cost of upgrades and relocation of facilities rather than JCP&L assuming these costs as part of its servicing,” the resolution states.

“JCP&L has really given our residents the runaround,” said council Vice President Maria Maruca.

JCP&L spokesman Mark Durbin said that the utility has been working close with Mayor Thomas Kelaher and his staff "on this complex issue."

"The next step is to determine a date for a public meeting to try and accommodate and hopefully resolve our customers' concerns as their homes are rebuilt and service reestablished," Durbin said. 

The resolution urges the Board of Public Utilities “to take all action necessary to assure that service is being provided in a timely and appropriate manner to the property owners of the Township of Toms River.”

It also states that property owners should not be held responsible for costs associated with upgrades or the relocation of facilities.

“In some cases they go back to the resident and try to charge them for a new electrical pole. It seems ridiculous to me,” Wittmann said.

The resolution should be shared with neighboring communities, Maruca said, “because I don’t believe that just Toms River is having this issue with JCP&L.”