PHILIPSTOWN – Fearing that large amounts of petroleum products would contaminate the Clove Creek aquifer in western Putnam County that residents rely on for drinking water, the Philipstown Town Board has added an amendment to the town’s zoning code prohibiting petroleum storage facilities whose “products are used for resale or other commercial redistribution purposes.”
Gasoline stations and “hybrid petroleum storage facilities” are exempt.
Prior to the revision, the greater Philipstown, Cold Spring, North Highlands, Garrison and Continental Village area only restricted petroleum tanks and facilities in environmentally sensitive areas if they held more than 400,000 gallons.
The town is now expected to pass two additional laws that confine new gas stations and “hybrid petroleum storage facilities” — such as home heating oil companies and truck depots — that store up to 25,000 gallons of fuel to Route 9 between Route 301 and Philipstown’s southern border and the stretch of 301 between Route 9 and the Nelsonville village line.
A vote will be taken next month.
Comments