ADAMS TWP — Residents of southwestern Butler County on Tuesday gave feedback on a proposed transmission line in the area.

Dozens of residents packed the Mars High School cafeteria for an information session on a proposal by FirstEnergy to install a new transmission line through Adams and Cranberry townships.

The project, known as Cranberry-Pine No. 3, would feature a 138/69 kilovolt transmission line that will stretch about four miles to connect the substation in Cranberry Township to existing infrastructure in Adams Township. Company representatives said the new line is needed to accommodate growing demand, particularly in Pine Township.

Of the nine potential routes the company proposed, many in attendance spoke against the northernmost route, which cuts across much of the northern parts of Cranberry and Adams townships.

Numerous attendees voiced concerns about this route, saying they instead preferred a proposal that would follow existing transmission lines to minimize disruption to property owners.

Thomas Franceschina, Adams Township supervisor, said he came to the meeting to better understand the plans. After speaking to representatives from the company, he remained convinced the existing route would be easiest both in impact on residents and access for future maintenance.

“The one to the north, I don't understand it because it's going through an area with no road, no access,” Franceschina said.

The line that feeds his house doesn't follow any roads either, Franceschina said, and whenever maintenance is needed, crews need to haul ladders and equipment through the woods to find the issue.

“Why don't you make it as easy as you can on yourselves?” he said.

Residents from neighboring Cranberry Township felt the same.

Two neighbors, Marty Rombach and Jack Kramer, said they see the need for more electricity in their neighborhood, but hope the new line follows the existing one to minimize disruption.

“In a nutshell our power quality leaves a lot to be desired,” Rombach said. “The conflict is improving the power while still being able to see something that's not just power lines.”

Kramer agreed, saying he understands everyone will be impacted differently and many people's route preferences will be determined by where they live.

“I'm sure everyone has their one that's their favorite, that's the farthest from them,” he said.

Rombach agreed.

“You hate to be selfish, but you also have to take care of your own,” he said.

Across the room, another group of Cranberry Township residents felt the same.

“It's basically cutting through a portion of my backyard,” resident Don Juiliano said of the northernmost route.

Juiliano said the line should go with the existing infrastructure.

Three of his neighbors and nearby residents, Bob and Susan Foley and Mitch Wentz, voiced their agreement. Juiliano said the company should have notified all residents, not just those whose property was directly impacted by the projected.

FirstEnergy spokesman Chris Eck said the meeting was to help residents better understand the project and for the company to better understand what citizens want.

“We just want to listen. This is the public's chance to provide input,” he said.

Eck said the company hopes to file a proposal with the chosen route to the Public Utility Commission by this spring. The approval process could take as long as a year, with the commission reaching out to area officials and residents and holding hearings of its own on what residents think of the proposed plans.

Residents whose properties will be impacted by the plan will be notified of the proposal.

According to a timeline provided by FirstEnergy, the company hopes to begin construction by 2020 and have the infrastructure up and running by 2021.

The meeting was the first of two informational meetings in which residents and government officials can speak to FirstEnergy representatives about what they believe would be best for their communities and learn how their properties could be affected. Attendees were also given the chance to submit in writing what they'd like to see from the project.

Residents who were unable to make Tuesday's meeting can attend a second hearing from 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday at Mars High School.