David Frothingham, engineer with Wilcox and Barton and Tony Riccio, facility manager at Jimbob Aviation present fuel storage request to the City Council in October.
Photo credit: Westfield Community TV
WESTFIELD — After public hearings in front of the Planning Board and City Council and a review by the License Committee, the council voted 7-4 on Nov. 6 to permit the application by Jimbob Aviation for a gas storage license for 20,000 gallons of Jet A fuel outside of their hangar at Westfield Barnes Airport.
During the public hearing in August at the Planning Board, which voted unanimously in favor of the application, David Frothingham, senior civil engineer from Wilcox & Barton, said the 20,000 above ground storage tank for jet fuel will be in a tertiary containment site within concrete walls and bottom, with a pump, motors and filters in front. He said the tank will be covered by a canopy with lights in it, similar to one in a gas station.
He said the tank would be similar to one proposed earlier for Barnes Airport, but this one would only be for JimBob pilots and staff, who will be trained to use it, and offloading from tanker trucks will be done by the operator of the truck.
“We expect to get fuel on a twice a month basis. We already have the staff and customers coming,” Frothingham said at the Planning Board hearing.
He said there will be new catch basins for the runoff from the area where the fuel transfer occurs that will go into an oil-water separator designed to reduce potential contaminants below EPA standards, with filters and alarms designed to notify how much oil is contained.
City Planner Jay Vinskey said the tank is not on the aquifer, and is a by right use. He said the Fire Department didn’t have any concerns other than licensing and permitting.
During the Oct. 2 hearing at the City Council, Councilor Kristen Mello asked for the chemical compositions of the fire extinguishers that would be used in case of fire. Frothingham told her that he believed them to be PFAS free, but would get the answer for the License Committee, to which the application was referred after the public hearing closed.
In reporting out from the License Committee, which had recommended approval on a 2-1 vote, committee Chair Bridget Matthews-Kane said they had received the list of components in the fire extinguisher, which she said is mostly baking soda.
She also said she was the sole negative vote for the license, but deferred to committee member Dan Allie, who voted for approval, to present to the council.
Allie said he felt like all the questions were addressed. The fuel storage is not on the aquifer, and there are only two fire extinguishers, one at the site and one away.
Mello said she appreciated the committee getting the information she requested, and the applicant for bringing in the information. “Yes it is baking soda. The problem for me is even though it’s not over the aquifer, stormwater drains into areas already polluted.”
Mello said if there were a fire, the response would be from Barnes and their extinguishers would be expelled. She said they are still using aqueous film forming foam, which contains PFAS.
“Nothing against the applicant,” Mello said, adding that since it isn’t a safety issue and there are other fuel opportunities, she weighed the risk versus the benefit. “If we had a fire, Barnes would respond with the foam.”
The vote on the application passed 7-4, with Councilors Michael Burns, Karen Fanion, Matthews-Kane and Mello voting no.
During public participation at the start of the meeting, concerns were expressed about the potential environmental impact of the data center if it were to come to Westfield.
Jessica Britton, who came in a close second for Ward 2 councilor, called it a hot button issue. She said as the country moves forward into AI and data technology, which is new technology, the implications of it are unknown. She said data centers are popping up nationally and are starting to experience environmental risks, using tremendous amounts of water and diesel generators that run continuously.
“Tax breaks given from the state are from our tax dollars. I will continue to bring education to this podium,” she said.
Donna Liese, a resident of Shaker Road said she understood the jobs that Westfield will gain from a data center, but said local opposition to data centers is growing in the U.S. Focusing on two of the reasons, she said there is constant noise and glaring light pollution which causes a low quality of life because there is virtually no silence. She also pointed to the water usage, and said they can use up to 5 million gallons daily.
“Data centers end up taking precedence over the welfare of residents,” Liese said, urging the council to reconsider.
Councilor Nicholas Morganelli spoke about Bishop William Byrne’s visit on Thursday to the St. Vincent de Paul food pantry in St. Mary’s Parish, to underline the threefold increase in requests for food assistance in recent weeks.
“The bishop said he wants every parish to do what they do best. It’s as easy as getting a big box and putting it in the front of the church. I plan on bringing a box in here,” he said.
Finally, John Bowen, who ran unsuccessfully for city councilor at large, said he had a new appreciation for what it takes to campaign and get elected to City Council.
“It’s a lot of hard work and time away from your family, and I appreciate all of you for taking the time and going through it. It’s a lot of work, and I don’t think I’ve ever heard anyone say thank you to you guys,” he said.
“Most importantly, I want to thank Rick Sullivan for his support of the city and all he’s done for many, many years. The Planning Board has our wise man on the mountain, Phil McEwan, and you guys have Rick, and I appreciate all you did. Thank you,” Bowen added.
