Pioneer Gas Proposal For Larger Propane Tank Raises Concerns

A controversial application calling for installation of a larger propane tank on Riverdale Avenue will be up for discussion during this month’s meeting of the Planning and Zoning Commission.

. recently submitted an application to install a 30,000 gallon propane tank at its property at 65 Riverdale Ave., which company owner William Papale said would replace an existing 18,000 gallon propane tank.

The commission is expected to discuss the proposal at its meeting at 7 p.m. June 14 at Shelton . Zoning officials said the application won’t require a public hearing, because the storage tank is located in an industrial zone, and is a permitted use for the site.

Opposition for the plan is growing from nearby residents, as well as from Alderman Eric McPherson, who cited serious concerns for public safety with a larger tank on the site.

McPherson is actually calling for removal of the existing 18,000-gallon tank. He said not only is he concerned for people residing on nearby Hull, Brewster and lower Myrtle streets if one of the tanks exploded, but also cited a serious propane truck fire that occurred on the property in March 2010, that fortunately was doused before it reached the propane tanks.

“I have serious issues and concerns,” McPherson said in a letter to the Commission, urging for the application to be denied. “The existing and proposed new tank are a short distance to residents.”

McPherson added that there is also a large diesel tank nearby on property that houses school buses, and said a combination explosion of that tank and Pioneer’s propane tank would spell disaster for the area.

Papale told commissioners the larger tank is intended to expand the company’s propane storage capacity, and that he plans to adhere to all local and state fire safety regulations.

Local engineer Jim Swift, representing the applicant, said he sees no significant environmental issues with the installation of the larger tank, nor a pollution threat to the Housatonic River.

Papale cited a letter from Fire Marshal Jim Tortora, which stated the tank does not pose a danger to public safety.

After a review, Tortora signed off on Pioneer’s new site plans, citing no dangers with the larger tank.

However, at a recent Inland Wetlands Commission, it was brought to the commission’s attention that the existing 18,000 gallon tank was installed on the property several years ago without a city permit. Swift believed that must have been the case, as the tank installation was only supposed to be temporary.

The wetlands commission, last month, issued an after-the-fact permit approval for the storage tank, according to its April meeting minutes.

And while McPherson stressed concerns about the tanks being located in a flood zone, Papale had said there are strict regulations he must follow, including ensuring the tanks are properly anchored down with straps, and in a concrete foundation, to prevent flotation of the tanks in case of flooding.