Portland debate fueled by tank talk

Portland (WTNH) - There is plenty of tank talk going on in Portland. Fuel storage tanks and where they might go have been a debated topic for months. There may finally be a resolution.

The town leaders met to finalize the wording in an ordnance that bans the storage of bulk propane. The ordnance was brought forward after a couple of business owners wanted to build a propane depot off of Rt 66.

"If there is ever going to be bulk propane storage in the town, we would want to be sure that there is a connection to the public water supply here in the town of Portland," said First Selectwoman Susan Bransfield.

Reg Farrington lives across from the sight that was proposed for the propane tank farm.

"There is no water over there, if there is a fire," said Farrington. "We have a volunteer fire department that I don't think is equipped or trained to handle a fire of the propane magnitude that you might have."

The proposed site of the bulk propane tank storage facility is located across the street from business as well as homes. The people got together and said 'not in my back yard.'

"I wish the property owners could find a business that would be suitable for the land over there, which would be just about anything except for what has been proposed," said Farrington.

But one of the owners of the land that wanted to build the propane depot said it's safe; there is just a lot of misinformation going around.

"Our proposal was to bury the tanks and that means there is very little need for water or cooling or anything like that," said Bruce Woronoff of Portland.

The first selectwoman said it's a fine line to walk; the town wants to be friendly to businesses while protecting their citizens.

"We are trying to make an ordnance that meets the needs of the town and also the needs of businesses," said Bransfield.