Above: Location of the proposed chemical transfer station (image from Google Maps)
Reader southsider brought our attention yesterday to a chemical transfer station being proposed by CSX. The station would be off Flanders Road in Westborough about a mile from the Southborough border. Reportedly, about 30% of the materials going through the transfer station will be hazardous, and include things like de-icing fluid, renewable biofuels and chemicals used to clean water.
CSX is still working with Westborough on the details, and construction on the transfer station has not yet begun.
“If I understand them correctly, this new chemical transfer station will be just upwind from Wildwood, Parkerville and Gilmore and all their side streets and the Mary Finn School,” southsider wrote. “Anyone else think this is cause for concern or am I over-reacting? Any of our town officials aware of any contact from CSX? Westborough?”
I asked Fire Chief John Mauro Jr. about the project. He told me he and other town officials have had “several conversations” with Westborough officials. “We’re working with Westborough on any affects the site may have on Southborough,” Mauro said. He said they’ve discussed issues from how chemicals will be handled to vehicle traffic flow to and from the site.
“We’re keeping an eye on it,” he said.
Mauro said he hopes to meet with representatives from CSX and its subsidiary Transflo in the near future to get more detail on the project and its implications.
Selectwoman Bonnie Phaneuf told me she and Chairman of the Southborough Planning Board Charles Gaffney attended a Westborough Planning Board meeting earlier this week at which the project was discussed. Phaneuf said they have had follow-up discussions with Westborough on the project.
You can read more about the proposed project in this article by the Metrowest Daily News and this one by TheDailyWestborough.com.
