Marblehead selectmen OK underground garages

MARBLEHEAD-Selectmen corrected a town oversight Wednesday n and local developer Edward “Ted” Moore got permits for two underground garages instead of the one he originally asked for.Fire Chief Jason Gilliland, Fire Capt. Michael Porter, the fire prevention officer and Town Clerk Robin Michaud explained the matter to the board.State law requires every underground garage containing five cars or more to have an underground storage permit for flammable liquids, the gasoline in each car?s tank. The permits require a sprinkler system and restrict the facility to cars only, and the fire department inspects those facilities annually by April 30.The Marblehead Highlands Condominiums at 33 Intrepid Circle, the town?s first Chapter 40B project, is nearing completion and the last building includes underground parking for 28 cars.When Moore came to the town seeking permits that would allow him to pour the underground garage foundation, a set of plans came to the Fire Department.Capt. Porter, who has served as fire prevention officer for the past two years, realized that Moore needed a gas storage permit for the condos.He found that Moore?s commercial office building on Tioga Way also has a 27-space underground parking garage for customers n and never received a state permit since it opened in 2001.At the fire officials? request selectmen specified the number of cars allowed in each garage.?We?re in full support of them getting a license,” Porter said. “Both buildings are up to code and there are no issues whatsoever, this is kind of like a formality. Our main goal is to keep those tenants safe.”