Clearmont Residents Share Concerns about Proposed Fuel Tank

At the Monday, April 17 Clearmont Town Council Meeting, eight people attended to hear about and comment on the proposed variance requested by SCSD#3 to put in a fuel tank for the school vehicles. Also in attendance was SCSD Lt. Devereaux Johnson.

Mark Neill, Clearmont resident, who lives near the bus barn, expressed concerns about possible problems.

“You put a bunch of gas in that ditch, with water flowing all the time, we have a big problem,” he added, referring to the irrigation ditch that runs through the town.

Dave Engels, of Engineering Associates of Sheridan, who has worked with Clearmont on other projects, explained what land would be taken up for the proposed project.

He said that the tank will be similar to the one at the Wyoming’s Girls School. He said that although they can’t guarantee accidents won’t happen, with the double containment system in the tank, the odds of problems are extremely low.

He showed a picture of where the bus would sit when fueling, and it would not take up space on the street. “I think it would be a safe facility, I don’t think it’s something the towns people would have to worry about.”

Levi Van Buggenum, with Arete Design Group, said that the tanks have to be tested, certified and have to meet certain standards for use before they can be installed and used.

Neill also expressed concerns about fuel over-flowing when a person is fueling a vehicle or if the hose breaks, and dumps gas on the ground. Buggenum said there were safety provisions to guard against spills. He added that this has been tried and true for decades.

Councilwoman Anna Switzer who owns the Clear Creek Stop in Clearmont said that people do sometimes overflow their vehicle tanks and wondered what safety protocols would be in place to prevent this.

Chase Christensen, SCSD#3 superintendent said,

School Trustee and town resident Wade Betz said that this is not something that’s going to happen overnight, there will be readings and voting, and that at the school three readings are necessary. Mayor Chris Schock said that the council would have to have readings on the variance as well.

In other business, Schock read the Child Abuse Prevention Month Proclamation and said he had not yet heard back on the DWSRF#226 repayment. He also said that Powder River Energy replaced some streetlights with LED lights.

Vivian Ramsay, town clerk, talked about the Low-Income Home Water Assistant Program, and said that people had to fill out an application if they wanted to enroll in the program.

Schock reported that they are planning to do warranty work on the water tank and the town would be on water restrictions, which is tentatively scheduled for the first of May. Councilwoman Jennifer Betz wondered if they could put it off until after school was out, as water restrictions affect the school adversely. “We’re done the 18th,” Betz said.

Schock also mentioned purchasing a new vehicle for the town, and Betz mentioned possibly purchasing a side-by-side for traveling around town. Schock will advertise for bids for a vehicle and later perhaps for a side-by-side.

The next meeting will be May 15, and at 5 p.m. there will be a budget work session, and at 5:50 will be a liquor license hearing followed by the regular meeting at 6.