SOME WANT A GAS STATION

OK, let's talk about that. Having a gas station in the aquifer carries with in some risk. Is that risk worth it to the people for the convenience, jobs and taxes generated? One way to reduce risk is to limit the size. The fewer number of pumps, the smaller size the storage tanks. We could limit the number of pumps to 8 gas, 1 diesel and 1 kerosene similar to other Nice N Easy stations. That would keep the risk down. We could also require the tanks and the piping be above ground which would almost eliminate the risk. We could also require local ownership, like Nice N Easy, to help guarantee problems will be taken care of when required.

I like Nice N Easy. John McDougal, owner, can be called on the phone anytime and he answers his own phone! He doesn't hide behind flunkeys like other big companies. He's local to CNY and therefore has a stake beyond just making money. I think Nice N Easy would be a great addition to Preble.

I don't object to a gas station partly because I live North or upstream of the site and would never be affected by a spill. I would rarely use it for the same reason. Others upstream of the site are John Steger, Peter Knapp, Kate Edinger, both ZBA and Planning Board chairs and half of the town. The reason I point this little fact out is that I think those downstream of a potential spill should be given more say than those of us who wouldn't be directly affected.

So have a gas station, make it safe and we will all benefit.