Residents Present Petition to North Branford Town Council Demanding a Halt to Construction of Proposed Propane Facility

North Branford residents presented a petition to hold a town wide vote to halt the construction of a proposed 60,000 gallon propane storage facility at Tuesday’s Town Council meeting, the New Haven Register reports.

According to NBC Connecticut, the petition demands that officials rescind a recent change in zoning regulations that allows for bulk propane storage.

The petition, which has more than 1,000 signatures on it, was presented to the council clerk. According to the Register, the North Branford Planning and Zoning Committee voted in August to amend regulations that would allow bulk propane storage in certain parts of town. A public hearing on the issue was held at the same meeting.

Residents have not had the opportunity to comment on the issue since the Planning and Zoning meeting in August.

Town Attorney John Gesmonde told the paper the council clerk would have to verify the signatures and then ensure that the council has the authority to do what the petitioners are asking and make sure it is not unlawful.

Residents have expressed concerns over the safety of the propane storage. Mayor Anthony Candelora has previously said that after meeting with fire safety officials he believes the facility will be completely safe.

Residents have also questioned town councilman Donald Fucci’s involvement in the proposal as he owns the property at Ciro Road where the facility would be built.

At last week’s Planning and Zoning Commission meeting, commissioners voted to table further discussion for the installation of the propane facility citing concerns with safety till the next meeting that will be held on Nov. 6. The meeting did not include a public hearing for residents to comment, however concerned residents voiced their opinions after the meeting ended.

Gesmonde told NBC Connecticut that if the petition was verified and validated, officials would hold a meeting within 30 days to give the public an opportunity to comment.

Image via Chesmont-Engineering.com

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