CLINTON - The second Planning & Zoning Commission (PZC) public hearing on a proposed propane storage facility by Global Companies, LLC, at the former Bostitch property drew more than 200 residents from both Clinton and Madison-the vast majority speaking in opposition to the project-to the Andrews Memorial Town Hall on July 7.

Faced with a long line of speakers and a limited amount of time for the July 7 hearing, the PZC continue the hearing to a third, Monday, Aug. 4 meeting.

Citing concerns about safety, lowered property values, what some called "embarrassing" tax revenue generated from the facility, and lack of job creation, the overall consensus was to urge the commission to vote "No" to this facility coming to the area.

The proposal calls for the use of 6 of the 37 acres on the Knollwood Drive site, which was previously home to the Stanley Bostitch plant, to be used as a wholesale propane distribution facility. It would house 12 separate, 45,000-gallon, three-quarter-inch steel propane tanks on the property, which borders the Hammonasset River and Madison.

According to the application, the propane would be delivered to the property via rail car, and transported off site by trucks. The facility is proposed to supply propane to up to 20 delivery trucks per day, which would operate between 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., five days a week during the peak winter months.

Safety was the primary concern for many speakers.

Madison first responder Kurt Siuzdak said, "This property falls in the radius of the new FEMA flood maps. What will happen here if a storm occurs and limits our ability to get the facility? There is one way in and one way out. We are putting our people at risk."

He added that Madison has a volunteer fire department; it is not equipped to deal with major disasters.

"We have to be realistic," he said. "This facility would be a safety issue in the area."

"Clinton residents should not have to worry about this facility in their backyards," said Clinton resident Bruce Farmer, reading from a letter he wrote to the PZC. "It does not belong in a residential neighborhood."

Rich Lavengood, a registered environmental scientist hired by the town, described his findings regarding the proposal.

He stated that "the 20-pound [standard, home-use propane tank] street accident is the most common propane accident, not large facility accidents."

Lavengood described several different possible danger scenarios, then explained the safety elements put in place in facilities such as the one proposed in Clinton that ensure safety in each scenario. He was unable to answer one of the commission's questions regarding the force required to puncture one of the tanks.

Global Companies, LLC, consultant Doug Fountain, project engineer for SFC Engineering Partnership, Inc., said, "…the proposed facility well exceeds state regulations for a site like this, and it is very similar to many other systems I have worked on in New England."

He also pointed out that there was a 30,000 gallon propane tank previously on the property used by the previous business.

However, the audience was not swayed in favor by his comments.

Laurie Santos of Clinton received a round of applause when she asked, "Is this in the best interest of the town? How does this fit into the town plan of development?"

She then stated, "There will be no jobs created by this facility, and the tax revenue from this is embarrassing. We also need to consider the 20 large trucks traveling the streets in town, particularly Knollwood Drive. There will be extended wear and tear on the roads, and a disturbance in the community. I think that if this passes, the town should give the residents of Knollwood Drive a couple of hundred thousand [dollars] for their homes so they can move."

The Hammonasset Environmental Trust group, which was recently formed to aid residents who want to gather more information about his subject, submitted to the commission a petition with 537 signatures against the proposal. The group has built a website, www.protectshoreline.com, as well as a Facebook page.