Winfield bus company to install 2 above-ground fuel tanks

A private bus company with a location in Winfield will soon have two aboveground fuel tanks that company officials say they need to make sure their business runs as efficiently as possible

But complaints from neighbors that the 2,500-gallon tanks on the Septran property will be a blight on the area caused some pause for several trustees.

Among the neighbors' concerns were the aesthetics of the tanks and the potential for spillage.

“I think you have a great cause in transporting special needs kids,” Trustee Jim Hughes said. “But I would love to see a spill containment base.”

However, a move to delay the vote until Septran could look into that type of unit was rejected by the board. Instead, Septran will start preliminary work on the tanks Friday and could have them up and running in the next several weeks.

Trustee Tony Reyes said the complaints of the neighbors, who live south of the property along Klein Creek Golf Club, should have been taken into consideration.

“There are a significant number of people living in that area who have lived there a long time and they like the way the area looks,” he said. “They consider this a safety issue. I go along with the concept that it could potentially be a safety issue for them.”

But the property owner of the site, at 26W115 St. Charles Road, which lies along the Great Western Trail, said that safety will not be an issue because the tanks will have thick fiberglass double walls. Additionally, the Carol Stream and Winfield fire protection districts have signed off on the move.

“I can understand people's concerns,” Don McCarthy said. “Most (Septran) locations have full, aboveground tanks. We have to get the kids to school. It's important to have full tanks on the premises.”

McCarthy said he has considered installing a fence on the property's south side to alleviate some of the aesthetic concerns.

Septran specializes in transporting special-needs students to schools in 11 communities, with a total of 109 bus routes and about 160 busses.