Notes from Select Board, November 9, 2023, Hybrid

There was a large audience in person and on Zoom estimated at over 60. They were interested in a public safety issue — the propane facility at 9 Lee Road.

Former Osterman Propane, now Superior Plus Energy Services, was represented by Jason Wild. He requested renewal of three permits to continue providing propane — permits for the trucks, tanks, and methanol.

The problem was that permits in the past, that required certain performance standards were not honored. Stockbridge Fire Chief Vincent Jan Garofoli, along with state compliance officer John Wood III, found the facility to be in violation of its permit.

David and Stephanie Adler, abutters of the facility, said they had no idea that unpermitted activity was going on. (SU November 1, 2023, issue David Adler also presented his concerns at ConCom October 24 and the Planning Board)

Adler said, "Our concerns, the abutters' concerns in this room, the neighborhood's concerns are ...about our safety."

There have been violations for fifty years from 1973 — 2003. Garofoli observed that hundreds of unpermitted tanks were stored on the property.

Stockbridge Fireman James MacDonald called the situation "dangerous."

White moved not to approve any permit because he wanted to see the corrections made not just promised before granting permits. After some discussion, the vote was unanimous NOT to approve any of the three permits requested.

Photo: Lionel Delevingne