Lithium-Ion Battery Site is Dangerous for Tewksbury

A new battery storage site is planned for Tewksbury off Old Boston Road at Hillman and Rockland Streets.

Lithium batteries in large storage containers can be associated with major risks such as fires
and major leaks causing evacuations of nearby residents, schools and businesses.

Many communities throughout the United States have pushed back on these facilities in their towns.

Safety Risks:

• If there is a fire, it takes days to burn itself out. These fires cannot be extinguished with
  foam or water. A lithium-ion battery that gets punctured, too hot or short-circuits may lead to an
  unending reaction called thermal runaway.
• Toxic chemicals may occur in the air causing a strong burning odor. Serious health risks may be involved.
• In case of a catastrophic malfunction - this may cause panic, congestion and traffic jams
  while trying to evacuate our homes, schools and businesses.
• Many of our elderly and school-aged children would be at substantial risk. Who would
  pay for the cost of evacuation (hotel, food, transportation and other expenses)?
• This type of facility may put undo stress on our local fire department and first responders.
  
  Noise Factor:
• The Lithium-ion Battery storage site will generate between 70 and 90 decibles of noise
  according to their proposal to the town. (A vacuum cleaner equals 70 dB, a motorcycle at 25 ft
  equals 90 dB (Temple University Department of Civil/Environmental Engineering). These large batteries
  must be cooled by using large A/C units with large fans as part of the environmental noise
  issues.

Property Values:

• It goes without saying
  that property values are at
  risk of decreasing
  substantially. Homeowner
  and Business-owners
  insurance costs may also
  increase.

These battery storage
facilities have no place in
any residential area.

Please spread the word to
your neighbors.

Thank you.