Conservation commission issues Certificate of Compliance for Energy North tank site with vegetation-maintenance condition

The Temple Run Conservation Commission voted Sept. 15 to issue a Certificate of Compliance for Energy North Group’s Sturbridge propane tank relocation at 198 Pintridge Road, board number 304-0386, while adding conditions requiring cleanup of loose material, removal of temporary erosion controls and periodic vegetation maintenance along the rear fence.

Commission staff read a letter from Chris York of Greenman-Pedersen, Inc. (GPI) certifying that the project was “constructed in substantial compliance with the approved plans, except for the following deviations,” and noting that a concrete pad along the north side of the new propane tank enclosure was not installed. The application included a WPA Form 8A and as-built plans. Brian Trumbly, a representative of Energy North Group, told the commission the project was complete and that the company believed it complied with the order of conditions and was seeking the commission’s inspection and approval for the certificate: “The project was completed. We believe it was done within the…the order of conditions, and, we are here seeking your inspection and approval for the certificate.”

Commission members who inspected the site reported a small pile of loose rock on a black tarp outside the northern fence and called for its removal. Commission member Dave said vegetation growing against the 8-foot rear fence can damage the fence and recommended a requirement that the owner clear a roughly 3-foot-wide zone behind the fence on a recurring schedule. Energy North’s representative said the company routinely performs that work about every two years. The commission added a condition requiring periodic vegetation maintenance along the back fence and specified that remaining erosion-control materials be removed and properly discarded and that the project file number sign be taken down once the work is complete.

A motion to issue the Certificate of Compliance (board no. 304-0386) passed unanimously. Commissioners Joanne (yes), Dave (yes) and George (yes) recorded affirmative votes. The motion text on the record was: “I make a motion that we issue the certificate of compliance, board number 304Dash0386.” A second was recorded but not named on the record.

Following the vote, commission staff said they would contact GPI to confirm completion of the cleanup and that they would notify the commission when the required items had been removed. Energy North staff also discussed inviting the fire department and nearby towns to a site training on emergency response procedures for the facility; the company said it has conducted similar trainings at other locations.

The commission’s action closes the administrative compliance review for the relocation project subject to the conditions it recorded. The company and staff will follow up to verify removal of the loose material and temporary controls before the file is closed.