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| By Natasha Clark Assistant Managing Editor EAST LONGMEADOW Oil prices climbed over $99 a barrel just a day after the East Longmeadow Board of Health hosted a public hearing on outdoor wood burning boilers, giving the BOH even more to think about as they contemplate whether or not to adopt regulations on the boilers. Last Tuesday's meeting provided a wealth of information on the controversial heating method. Residents wishing to speak signed up on either the proponents or opponents sheet and each speaker was allotted three minutes to share their viewpoint. Gary, the first speaker to oppose the regulation, said heating costs have steadily increased every year and so he has chosen to heat his home with an outdoor wood boiler (OWB). He explained that it is an economical option used as far back as colonial times. He said it also cuts down on the risk of indoor fires. Nick, a general contractor, said wood boilers hardly put out any smoke, especially the new ones. James Lynch, whose wood boiler was used as an example for several of the proponents' arguments, also said that this heating method was used by "our forefathers." Dennis Bruno, a member of the Concerned Citizens for Clean Air and Better Health, said the boilers are a "public health nuisance." He said the concerned citizens would like to see the boilers set back at 500 feet from residences. "We citizens insist public health take priority," Bruno said. He said currently the boilers are much too close in a densely populated area and that the regulation suggested would be less restrictive than those in other communities. He reminded the board that approximately 30 homeowners signed a petition to propose regulations for OWBs, which he said equals about $127,696 in taxes paid to the town. Professor and certified energy manager Curt Freedman gave a three-minute slide presentation on the dangers of OWBs. Among the risks of boilers are the levels of fine particulates pollution, which he said is similar to the consistency of talcum powder. "[Boilers] are not well suited in densely populated neighborhoods," Freedman said. He also said that wood prices are comparable to other conventional fuels and that they need to be a significant distance from abutters. Due to time constraints, Freedman did not finish his presentation, so other members of the Concerned Citizens group used their three minutes to continue reading from Freedman's slide presentation. Included in the recommendations the presentation provided were setting outdoor boilers back at least 500 feet minimum, limiting use from October to April and suggesting homeowners upgrade their insulation. "Who's going to pay for it all?" an audience member called out. Freedman said these types of improvements will dramatically reduce heating levels. Lynch responded that over the past year he's spent over $2,000 replacing insulation and doors in his home. Brian Simons, an East Longmeadow resident and respiratory therapist who is also a member of the American Lung Association (ALA), said that ALA strongly cautions against outdoor wood boilers, and until boilers meet public health criteria, the association cannot support them. Simons also said that Hampden County has failed air quality tests for the last four years. Chris Anderson, who resides on Savoy Avenue above Lynch's property, said his roof line is 56 feet above Lynch's boiler. He said he cannot open his windows or use his pool as often as he'd like because of the excess smoke from the OWB. Anderson said his "only relief" came when the East Longmeadow Fire Department shut down Lynch's use of the boiler for a few weeks this fall. "Smoke crosses my property at the ground level," Anderson explained. He asked the BOH to ban boilers outright. Another resident said she lives a half mile away from Lynch's property and she has had smoke come into her home. "The whole outside of my house was filled with smoke," she said. She noted a news article in the "The Republican" that said Monson had banned the use of the OWBs. And she asked the board how a place such as Monson, where houses are much farther apart than East Longmeadow's 100 x 190 foot lot size, banned boilers but East Longmeadow allowed them. Kathleen Bach asked the board, "Where's your common sense? ... He could be burning anything in that boiler." She told the board to do something about it. "Mrs. Bach," BOH and Board of Selectmen member Jim Driscoll responded, "we are doing something about it. That's why we're having a public hearing." Health Agent Fred Kowal said the purpose of the hearing is to get input and that they won't allow citizens of East Longmeadow to be subjected to health hazards. "I find it interesting that the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) doesn't have regulations, and they regulate everything," Kowal said. Resident Vincent Blanchard said that due to OWB smoke he has only had his windows open four days since April. He said that one time there was so much smoke he thought a house was on fire. Freedman presented the BOH with images of the location of the OWB. Bruno said he never asked to ban OWBs, just to give them "meaningful regulations. I just want to be healthy." "I feel like I've been attacked," Lynch said. He explained that when he purchased his boiler he went to the town to see if he needed to meet any requirements or get a permit; East Longmeadow has no regulations for OWBs. An audience member asked if provisions or reimbursements would be made to those who currently own boilers if they are banned. Town Counsel Jim Donahue said individuals have a right to seek to stop OWBs and that if the issue were to go before a court, and a ban was successful, the court wouldn't award damages to a OWB owner. If the town regulates or bans them, the same rule would apply. Kowal previously submitted regulations for OWBs which includes in the stipulations that the burning season is set for Oct. 15 to April 15, boilers are set back 200 feet from the residence and 25 feet from the property line and homes in violation of requirements receive a written warning for the first offense, $100 fine for the second offense, $200 for the third and $300 for each subsequent violation. BOH Chair Joe Townsend said the board will take everything stated at the hearing into consideration. The topic will resurface at the Dec. 18 Board of Selectmen meeting. To read a draft of the Town of East Longmeadow Regulations for Outdoor Wood Burning Boilers, visit www.thereminder.com. |
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Regulations for Outdoor Wood Burning Boilers | |