Petitions Oppose Fenton Natural Gas Facility

People concerned about a proposed natural gas transfer station in the Town of Fenton have launched petition campaigns against the project.

The facility would be built at 65 West Service Road, just north of the Port Dickinson Community Park.

One online petition is calling on Fenton town supervisor David Hamlin to stop the project until a public hearing has been held to address the concerns of area residents. That petition also seeks a town referendum on the issue.

Speaking on WNBF Radio's Binghamton Now program, Hamlin said the town board does not have the authority to reverse the decisions of the Fenton zoning board of appeals or the planning board. Those independent boards acted last month to allow the project to go forward.

Hamlin said the state Department of Environmental Conservation now is reviewing plans for the facility. The agency may make recommendations for the site because it is located in a flood plain.

Port Dickinson Mayor Kevin Burke and Chenango Valley School District officials say there remain traffic and safety concerns related to the project that have not been adequately addressed.

School representatives have posted letters outlining their concerns on the district's website.

NG Advantage wants to construct the compressor station so it can transport natural gas from the Millennium Pipeline to the Oneonta area. Dozens of trucks would make the trip every day. The volume of truck traffic would rise during cold-weather months.

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