CSX told Westborough selectmen last night about the safety measures it will install at its proposed chemical transfer station off Flanders Road. They also provided more detail on the types of material that will be handled at the site, which is located not far from the Southborough border.
According to the Metrowest Daily News, CSX officials said the entire site will be paved to prevent chemicals from leaching into the ground. A series of containment cells under the pavement will collect material should a spill occur. Drip pans will be placed to capture minor drips and spills as part of the routine operation.
The transfer station would be located next to the Great Cedar Swamp, and some environmentalists have expressed concern about its impact on the 1,650-acre protected wetland that straddles Hopkinton, Southborough, and Westborough.
Here’s what CSX had to say about the type of materials that will be handled at the site:
Rhodes said 30 percent of materials passing through the site are hazardous, but no explosives, radioactive materials or poisonous gases will ever be present. Some materials are those that can be poisonous if ingested or come in contact with skin, though.
Rhodes said all of the materials classified as hazardous have some commercial purpose.
The other 70 percent includes non-hazardous materials such as flour, de-icing fluid for airplanes, latex, plastics and sand.
“It’s difficult to project a list of chemicals that could come in, but we’ve provided the fire department and police department with a list of potential products,” Rhodes said.
The public meeting was continued until August 9. You can read more about last night’s meeting in this article by the MWDN.
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Selectman questions CSX safety record, encourages residents to ‘rise up’ (9 comments)
Selectmen express concern, urge due diligence on CSX project (22 comments)
Fire chief says proposed chemical transfer station poses ‘little risk’ (8 comments)
