for
the Amherst campus of the University of Massachusetts
Feb.
2, 2001
|
Fuel station breakdown sends Chronicle staff
 rivers
of state vehicles are gassing up off-campus after a possible leak
shut down the campus's gasoline pumping station last week.A Physical Plant memorandum circulated via e-mail on Jan. 23 said mechanical problems were affecting the operation of the pumping station near the PVTA bus garage and outlined procedures for obtaining fuel at a Route 9 Exxon station. The memo did not speculate as to when the station might be up and running again. On Monday, Pat Daly, associate director of Utilities and Engineering at Physical Plant, said the problem may be related to a leak. "We hope to have the contractors digging this week," he said. "Because we think there's a leak, we need to have a licensed site professional check for that. The tester said they don't think any has gotten out." Daly said the location of the leak will determine how much time will be required to repair the tank and that his office will know later this week how long the work will take. In the meantime, the Exxon station has been given a list of all vehicles serviced by Physical Plant. Under the alternate procedure, drivers need to identify themselves to the on-duty station manager as the authorized operator of a campus vehicle and assist the manager with identification of their vehicle. The station manager will then provide a "swipe card" and vehicle number for charging the purchase. Once the card is returned, the driver will be given a receipt which should be returned by campus mail to Fleet Services at Physical Plant on the next day. Department accounts will then be billed as usual by Fleet Services. The station problem does not affect the dispensing of diesel fuel. |
