Representatives of the Public Service Enterprise Group sat stone-faced during public meetings this week in Baltimore, Carroll and Frederick counties as hundreds of property owners clapped, yelled and even threatened violence against their crews.

The Public Service Enterprise Group has been contracted by PJM, the organization that operates and plans Maryland’s electric grid, to build the controversial Maryland Piedmont Reliability Project, a $424 million high-voltage power line cutting through all three counties.

Brad Garst of New Windsor said during a public meeting in Westminster on Wednesday he has the “right to bear arms” under the Second Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, and would not shy away from doing so to protect his property.

Whitney Miller of Westminster on Wednesday called PSEG’s PowerPoint presentation “lies and propaganda,” and also warned state officials not to step foot on her property.

“I’m just a spot along your map,” she said. “We’re actual people. Shame on you. Do not visit my home and don’t visit my neighbors, because the answer is ‘no.’”

On Tuesday in Baltimore County, meeting attendees began shouting at the panel: “We’ve heard this before,” said one. “Let us ask our questions,” another said. “We don’t want to hear your nonsense anymore.”

On Thursday in Frederick County, property owner Tammy Naill told the panel, “If you come to my property we will fight you and we will have you arrested by the cops.”

William J. Smith, spokesman for PSEG, said in an email Friday that PSEG appreciated the hundreds of residents who came out and offered questions and comments.

“While we cannot comment on any specific remarks … we look forward to continuing this productive dialogue as the project moves forward,” Smith said.

Work has already started in Carroll County, with crews in the area photographing the proposed path, according to county officials. The field crews are working within public roads and parks only. The initial field studies do not require access to private property and the field crews will not be engaging property owners to request access, according to a county news release.

Smith declined to comment on whether PSEG has security to protect its crews.

“While we have notified local officials of the presence of field crews and the nature of their work, we cannot comment on any specific security measures that may be in place,” he said.

Area property owners are not alone in their opposition to the project. The Board of Carroll County Commissioners at its meeting Thursday formalized its unanimous opposition.

District 3 Commissioner Tom Gordon III introduced a formal resolution because he wanted residents to understand that the board is adamantly opposed to the pipeline.

Gordon, who attended Wednesday night’s meeting in Westminster, described it as “disappointing and disturbing.”

He issued a statement Friday that includes a bit of advice for PSEG: “I firmly support property owners rights to not allow individuals or organizations to trespass or enter private property without permission,” he said in an email. “Violence is never the answer. I strongly recommend any organization or individuals seeking to access private property to follow the law, and only access the property with the permission of the property owner.”

Anyone can email comments to the Public Service Commission to be part of the public record to piedmontcomments.psc@maryland.gov, or register and submit an official public comment online at experience.arcgis.com/experience/1f1de68988cb440a823127713bd33286.

A toll-free hotline for the proposed project’s news and updates can be reached at 1-833-451-MPRP(6777).

Have a news tip? Contact Sherry Greenfield at sgreenfield@baltsun.com, 240-315-7029.