Assemblywoman Addie Russell (D-Theresa) is asking the state Public Service Commission to look into whether or not a new Area Code in the 315 telephone area is actually needed.

The PSC has held hearings in Watertown this week on what to do about the 315 Area Code.

State Sen. Patty Ritchie had cast doubt on the commission’s assessment that there aren’t enough numbers left to accommodate growth in the number of telephone devices, and Russell wants to be sure before the commission takes any action.

“Proposals to create a second Area Code would not only cause undue confusion and inconvenience local residents; it could also cost our businesses valuable dollars,” Russell said in a statement Tuesday.

“As population continues to turn over and change in the North Country, I urged (Acting Secretary of the New York State Public Service Commission) Mr. Cohen to further investigate how many current phone numbers in our region are no longer in use and should be reassigned,” Russell said.

A couple of years ago, the commission began looking into creating a new Area Code to either “overlay” the current area or divide the current area into two, with one retaining the 315 designation and giving the new area a new Area Code. But they shelved their plan when the recession reduced demand.

But the plan has been revised, and the commission has resumed taking comments on the ideas to alleviate the shortage.

Two competing plans both have disadvantages. The overlay plan would require everyone in the current 315 area to dial whole telephone numbers including Area Code for any call in the area, something that’s not required now.

Dividing the area in two would require deciding what geographic area gets the new code, which will require individuals and businesses to make the change and notify others of the change.

“I also suggested the commission consider the metropolitan communities of Central New York as a more suitable and less disruptive option if they determine we need a new code,” Russell said.

According to WWNY-tv, an aide to Sen. Ritchie was the only person to show up at a Tuesday hearing session.

The 315 area now covers most of St. Lawrence County west nearly to Rochester and south to the northern Fingers Lakes and back east to Herkimer County, including Syracuse and Utica.