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$4.8 million water tower in jeopardy after objections

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By Lawrence Budd, Staff Writer 12:54 PM Tuesday, November 10, 2009

LEBANON — Opponents are dousing plans to build a $4.8 million water tower to protect facilities at and around regional fuel-products terminal on Ohio 122, north of Lebanon.

For more than three years, local fire officials have been trying to build a water tower able to protect the surroundings, should a line or tank rupture and catch fire at the terminal in Clearcreek Twp.

Tuesday morning, Nov. 10, C. Michael Kilburn, president of the Board of Warren County Commissioners, said he was inclined to reject the project because of opposition from seven of 10 companies to be assessed to pay for the project.

“I don’t know that the project’s dead. I’m leaning that direction,” Kilburn said.

Kilburn, representatives from six opposing companies and area officials met on Monday about the project.

As much as 85 million gallons of liquid petroleum or natural gas flows through facilities maintained by 10 different companies at the terminal.

The commissioners — who have supported the project to this point — are expected to meet at noon on Nov. 17 to make a decision.

As a rule, the commissioners — who would sell the bonds to finance the water tower — support assessment projects when “50 percent plus one” of those facing assessment are in agreement.

Now seven of 10 companies are in opposition to the water tower.

Kilburn said he was also swayed by arguments that the water tower wasn’t the most effective approach to quelling fires or explosions.

“If that place has an incident and blows up, it’s going to take a whole lot more than water,” Kilburn said.

In May 2003, surrounding homes and businesses, as well as the Warren County Career Center, were evacuated after an explosion and vapor release at the terminal.

A section of Ohio 122 was closed overnight, but no one was injured, in the last major incident there, according to fire reports.

The companies say they have individual plans to handle incidents at their facilities.

Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2261 or lbudd@DaytonDailyNews.com.

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