GLENS FALLS, N.Y. -- Get ready to start dialing three extra digits when making calls in the Capital Region.

"The supply of telephone numbers in the 518 region is running out and it's going to be running out by the first quarter of 2019 according to projections so the department has to, the Public Service Commission has to decide on the proper relief method before that happens," said Ruvain Kudan of the Public Service Commission.

The Public Service Commission has two solutions; the geographical split where areas with the 518 area code would be split into two sections. One section would keep its current 518 area code. The other would keep its seven digit number, but get a new area code.

The other choice is an overlay option. People would keep their current 518 number and new phone lines would get a new area code. 

"Some members have shared with me because they come from other areas that they've lived through the geographic split and they called it, and it's a repetitious word, a nightmare," Queensbury town supervisor John Strough said.

"Well I went through splits in California and there was mass confusion, but what's worse is people got split more than once," Edward Greenberg said. "We had areas that split two or three times"

At a public hearing in Glens Falls Tuesday, most in attendance agreed the overlay option was the way to go saying it would cause less overall confusion and expense to business owners.

However, retired business owner Bill Widermath disagrees and wants the split.

"If you look down the road I can see nothing but utter chaos as people move in, move out etc., so you're going to end up with four or five different area codes in one block where business is being done in a metropolitan area," Wildermath said.

Either way all calls will eventually require the area code when dialing. Glens Falls resident Cindy Trombley says that could be a benefit. 

"Area codes can be customized to that area and so I would love to see the new area code that is implemented to be 235 which translates on the letters of a phone pad to ADK," Trombley said. "We are the Adirondack region"

Members of the Public Service Commission are expected make a decision within the next two years based on public feedback and other factors.