Needham selectmen approve 1000-gallon propane tanks in two Needham backyards

Needham - Plans of two Needham developers to install underground flammable 1,000 gallon propane tanks created heated discussion Tuesday as many citizens in the surrounding neighborhoods came to discuss the issue at a public hearing at the Board of Selectmen meeting.

At the meeting, the tanks were unanimously approved at the two locations, 126 Jarvis Cr. and 31 Grasmere Rd., by the five-person board. Mark Heavner, the developer for the first home and Joe Centola, the developer for the second, told the board and public about the safety procedures, and reassured them that the homes would be safe.

“This is a completely protected system,” Heavner said at the meeting.

At the meeting, the Needham citizens spoke about concerns of the tanks bursting underground and creating an explosion that could put them at danger. Many said they feared that due to its underground location, inspection would be difficult.

Steven Dawyskiba, who for 38 years has been working as a representative for the propane company that would install the tank, said that an explosion was very unlikely due to the technological practices that have developed. He said these processes made it possible to monitor tank damage without having to pull the tanks out from the ground.

Under Needham law, the tanks would be inspected once every year, the selectmen said.

Fire Chief Paul Buckley also reassured the public that the practice was safe because it followed federal regulations. He also said that Needham’s rules are even stricter than the federal ones, due to changes made earlier in the decade.

Federal regulations allow for up to 2,000-gallon tanks to be buried without consent of town officials, but Needham just allows 500 gallons.

 “Guidelines are made to protect citizens,” he said. “And we follow them.”

Selectmen Jim Healy said that while the propane tanks didn’t seem dangerous, it was important that the board had such a dialogue.

“For me, the whole key is safety,” he said.

Evan Koslof

8/17/11

Originally Posted: http://www.wickedlocal.com/needham/news/x386663966/Needham-selectmen-approve-1000-gallon-propane-tanks-in-two-Needham-backyards#axzz1VDLQGyZ1