At the November 18, 2014 Special Town Meeting residents of Upton voted to eliminate the ban on self service gas stations.
The proposal was brought to the town by Fire/EMS Chief Ron Goodale. “For the Fire Department this was a safety issue,” said Chief Goodale. “Full service gas stations are not required to have fire protection in their canopies,” he said. “We have had fuel spills and potential hazards in town and weren’t notified immediately, or even within a reasonable amount of time, ” said Chief Goodale.
In February the Upton Fire Department responded to a gasoline spill consisting of a couple of gallons at a station which according to officials may have been prevented if there had been up to date technology. Town Manager Blythe Robinson noted during a March Selectmen meeting there is equipment Upton does not have because of the self service by-law.
Several members of the community spoke out against making the change in the bylaws.
Richard Desjardins said, “A lot of people limited in ability will have to go to Milford..We will lose business because people will go to Milford… This needs to be rethought.”
Others in attendance voiced the same concerns over handicapped and the elderly who are not able to pump their own gas. Others questioned if Upton stations would lose business to Milford and if employees would lose their jobs.
The vote required a 2/3 majority, and passed with just that.
UPTON DAILY 