Grafton Officials Question 'Credibility' of G & U Financing Plan

Grafton officials are questioning the "credibility" of the Grafton and Upton Railroad's "new 'plan' for financing and operating" the railroad's proposed North Grafton propane transloading facility, according to a recent federal filing.

Town officials and Zoning Enforcement Officer Robert Berger, on Aug. 19, cited this reason in asking the federal Surface Transportation Board to deny railroad officials' July 23 request for a declaratory order in their dispute over the facility at its Grafton rail yard at 42 Westboro Road.

Grafton officials also cited in their response "the paucity of information G & U has thus far provided concerning that 'plan.'"

The railroad company recently asked the federal board to say that its proposed propane transloading facility is under that agency's oversight only -- not local and state regulations.

Railroad officials want the federal board to "expedite" its decision so that the facility will be running this winter.

However, Grafton officials countered in their Aug. 19 filing that "G & U has not presented any evidence to meet its burden of establishing that its proposed transloading facility is entitled to federal preemption."

Town officials also want the federal board to "scrutinize the new 'plan' in light of the history of this case, which strongly suggests that there may again be more going on than the railroad is choosing to reveal."

G & U officials said in their filing last month that their firm will finance, build and operate the facility itself, and they have ended their agreements with the propane companies.

Grafton officials said that G & U executives testified "just months ago" that the railroad "could not finance the facility using any traditional method without several years of a proven track record."