A Tewksbury resident voices her concerns about the proposed Lithium-Ion Battery Storage Facility.
Dear Editor,
I am writing to bring awareness to the proposed lithium-ion battery storage facility at 73-75 Hillman Road in Tewksbury, and my strong opposition against it.
This site is dangerously close to homes, schools, emergency services, and community resources. In the event of a fire, explosion, or toxic smoke release, residents and first responders would face serious health and safety risks. Evacuation of nearby neighborhoods, including families, seniors, and pets would be difficult and potentially impossible in a fast-moving emergency.
I am especially concerned about the fire risk to my home, since I only live 2.5 miles away (at 85 James Avenue) from the proposed site, as well as the safety of the schools, the elderly who live in the many assisted living facilities in the area, as well as the many individual homes that are located very close by the proposed site. In addition, I find it concerning that there are no proposed evacuation plans put into place in the case of an emergency, as well as the long term health effects and cancer risks, as a result of the potential toxic chemicals that would be released into the air and in our drinking water supply.
Overall, lithium battery fires are not ordinary fires, they are extremely difficult to extinguish and release dangerous chemicals. Locating such a facility near neighborhoods and a hazardous materials rail line shows disregard for community safety.
I sincerely hope that this proposal is rejected, in order to protect the health, safety, and property of Tewksbury residents.
Thank you,
Angela Dardonis
Lifelong resident of Tewksbury, MA
I too am a 49 year resident of Tewksbury and am opposed to this Lithium – Ion battery project designed for 73-75 Hillman St.
There can be no justification for this in the area that the Hillman company has selected. This area is densely populated and very close to existing businesses and homes.
On Oct 9 many residents attended a meeting held by the Hillman group – they listened to our concerns about this project, many talking points were brought up and the most important one was the safety for our community in the event of any situation at this site. Anyone who lives in Tewksbury knows how bad traffic situations can be and in the event of any kind of evacuation it would be ludicrous to think that a safe evacuation could even occur.
We all know that Lithium-ion batteries are dangerous and this site is should not be considered. We cannot take the risk to our towns safety by accepting this. We need the Hillman Co. to understand that this is not a fit for our town and to say a resounding NO to this project.
Lynda Harrington
49 year resident Tewksbury MA
Lithium ion battery plant has NO RIGHTS being anywhere near neighborhoods or in our towns, period !!! Especially if there was a fire, almost impossible to extinguish, I grew up in tewksbury and my family still lives there, there’s plenty of Spaces out in the desert where if it were to catch fire, nobody would be in eminent danger…KEEP THOSE CANCER CAUSING PLANTS 100S OF MILES AWAY FROM PEOPLE….