Civic leaders concerns over the location of Bay Gas in Shirley have been reinvigorated since the propane gas leak crisis that developed outside Kohl’s Shopping Center New Year’s Day.
Bay Gas, which is on McGraw Street near the south side of the Sunrise Highway Service Road, has always been a concern for nearby residents, due to the two 30,000-gallon above-ground tanks it contains. The 43-year-old company, which started off as an oil delivery company, but converted to propane in the 80s, had previous plans to move to another site on Horseblock Road in Yaphank, but the plans were quashed and the issue of relocating lay dormant for the last five years. The New Year’s Day gas leak resulted in the evacuation of some 900 homes and businesses and required the activation of 80 fire and ambulance companies — the largest since the Sunrise wildfires of 1995 — causing some community members to question whether it is safe to have a propane business in such a highly populated area. The propane gas leak was later attributed to the human error of a service man from Synergy Gas, which services the department store, and not in any way related to Bay Gas.
“We dodged a bullet as a community,” Affiliated Brookhaven Civic Association Chairwoman MaryAnn Johnston testified before members of the Brookhaven Town Board Jan. 25. Johnston went on to say traffic was still bumper-to-bumper at 2:20 p.m. in the afternoon the day of the gas leak causing her to question a proper evacuation plan for not just the 1.5-mile radius surrounding the gas leak. Johnston urged the board to meet with members of the community to discuss ways to improve residents’ safety.
“No one should minimize [the gas leak] because it ended well,” she said. “It was terrifying for every single one of those residents who were roused out of their beds, told to leave their homes, leave their animals behind and make their way to a shelter.”
Phone calls placed to Bay Gas owner Jack O’Loughlin’s office in Shirley were not returned by deadline.
Councilman Dan Panico (R-Manorville) recognized Johnston’s concerns, pointing out that he would be open to revisiting the issue of relocating the facility, but noted that the feelings of all those who would be affected would have to be considered including that of the residents living in the area and Councilwoman Connie Kepert (D-Middle Island). Panico noted the O’Loughlin family provides a service to the community and his workers were of great help during the gas leak crisis — some of the first people on the scene to help officials with containing the area.
“I know they give a lot to the community and its their right to run a business that is currently zoned appropriately — that has to be respected and balanced against other interests including emergency evacuation and, of course, safety,” Panico said. “If not there, then where else would be a suitable location?”