TT:Newton hears from gas expert on 'community rights ordinance'
As it prepares for potential natural gas exploration, Newton Twp. supervisors Monday heard a presentation about how municipalities can influence the industry.
Ben Price, an attorney with the Community Legal Defense Fund, shared a "community rights ordinance" with the township similar to one approved by the city of Pittsburgh that would ban drilling.
While the ordinance has been approved by other Pennsylvania municipalities, it has not been tested in court.
Supervisor Ronald Koldjeski said the township wanted to hear the presentation because the state Oil & Gas Act leaves little room for municipalities to regulate drilling. The township has approved requirements for limiting use of roads and setting setback requirements for wells.
In other business, the township voted conditionally on a bid for oil to spread on its roads. The lowest bid was from AEP, which bid $1.55 per gallon. The board approved the bid on the condition that the price quoted was the delivered price.
The board also heard reports from committees, including the wage tax committee, whose audit recovered $22,000 of unclaimed taxes in the prior month by proving to tax collectors that certain individuals paying wage taxes live in the township.
