Local Officials Prefer Lights

Federal aviation officials have reviewed a proposal for a new water tower near the Nantucket Memorial Airport (ACK) and have suggested either a bright-checkered paint scheme, or lights on the 129-foot tank, according to the Nantucket Inquirer and Mirror.

FAA wants the tank to be easily seen due to Nantucket’s notorious fog. Another option is the relocation of the tank itself, according to agencyspokesperson Jim Peters.

Peters said the FAA has no authority to enforce its suggestions, but that local governments with jurisdiction to make changes often rely upon the reports.

Wannacomet Water Company officials laughed off the suggestion of the checkerboard paint job.

"The lighting scheme is a more realistic option and more common these days," said manager Bob Gardner with the Wannacomet Water Company. "You can’t see the checkerboard design at night, and if you are close enough to see it, you’re in trouble."

Local historians approved the word "Nantucket" to be painted on the side of the tank just as done in the past for pilots to use for checkpoint navigation.

Gardner and the water commission are against painting anything on the tank, as it will cost the project more money.

"To appeal over something like that, it’s just not a responsible use of ratepayer money," said Gardner. "They approved that design, it is what it is."

Gardner said that permitting should be complete by October 2008, and bids will go out soon thereafter.

Chicago Bridge and Iron and Landmark Structures, are the only two companies in the US that are able to construct a tank to Wannacomet standards, Gardner said either would be acceptable.

Once bids are received, groundbreaking can take place in the spring of 2008, with the project being completed by the fall of 2009, officials indicated.

The 129-foot tank system, 94 feet in diameter, will help bring Nantucket up to standards on fire-flow that requires 3,500 gallons per minute for six hours.

FMI: www.nantucketairport.com, www.faa.gov