Arlington Propane Regulations

From the Arlington Email list in 2 Nov 1999

Does anybody on the list live in a section of town without Boston Gas service, and thus have a propane tank? If you installed it, how much did it cost and did you have any troubles with permits?

Hi Mr X,       In essence, the use of propane for heating (viz., propane tanks) in Arlington is prohibited.

      Dwellings in Town which had propane tanks in place prior to the effective date of the State Fire Code (CMR) revision have been grandfathered.

      My understanding is that even with the passage of a (Town or Zoning) Bylaw by Town Meeting, the issuance of permits FOR propane and propane tanks for heating (i.e., tanks) falls under the State Fire Code -- and thus, under the direction of the Director of Fire Services.

        My understanding is that the State Fire Code would allow for an appropriate bylaw to be established by Arlington, however it would still be necessary to have the Fire Chief be in alignment with this bylaw as it is he that issues the permits, or not.

        This issue most recently came before Town Meeting during the 1999 Annual Meeting on April 28, 1999, as Article 21 - Propane Gas.

        This warrant article was brought forward by ten registered voters. Some of the arguments by the proponents were that Boston Gas did not offer service on their STREET, while others thought propane would be a savvy alternative to any possible Y2K glitches. Not to mention the all-too-frequent-in-this-town power "outages" -- which quickly cools the heels of those whose homes are dependant on electrical heat.

      When a public hearing was held on this Article before the Board of Selectmen, their resulting vote vas No Action.

      A substitute motion was put forward on the floor of Town Meeting essentially to allow the Article to be debated. The proponent's substitute motion was "essentially" to direct the Director of Fire Services "to issue" permits for propane -- based on some reasonable criteria, rather than allegedly categorically denying all permits for heating.   (<-- This, I believe, is close to the sentiment of the substitute motion. In *no* way are these statements meant to represent that any of my words describing this substitute motion were used either in the sub. motion or during TM.)

      The substitute motion was defeated by a voice vote, and the Selectmen's recommended vote of No Action passed on a voice vote.

        But - not to worry ... *should* there be any glitch with Y2K relative to heat, we can all take a short walk to either Belmont, Lexington or Winchester -- all of which allow the use of propane tanks for heating.

        Arlington does issue permits for the use of propane tanks for Hot Air Balloons -- subject to inspection and permit fee -- for which I am grateful.

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Shortly after Mr X and I moved to Arlington last year, we grew a bit nervous about our propane stove. We smelled propane in the house frequently, even though the pilot light seemed fine. We decided to call the fire inspector, and have him take a look at the set-up. 
The fire inspector did, indeed, come to our home, and inspect our stove. He observed the following aspects of our situation: 
1) Our stove was located on an inside wall, with pipes running through the basement, where the oil-burning furnace is located. 
2) Propane is heavier than air. 
3) If a crack developed in any part of the 12-foot segment of pipe in the basement, it could reach the furnace before we noticed the leak. 
4) Thus, our house could explode. 
And that is why we have an electric stove.