By DAVID HULSE

LACKAWAXEN - Township supervisors have now settled on September 15 as the date for their hearing of applications for site plan and conditional zoning permits sought for a proposed new pumping station for the Tennessee Gas Pipeline (TGP).

In preparation for the hearing, the supervisors on August 16 approved a contract with planner Mike Wood of Woodland Design, providing $75 an hour for Wood's compatibility review of the project with respect to the township's zoning and subdivision ordinances and comprehensive plan.

Township solicitor Jay Rose said Wood's bill would be submitted to TGP for payment. "We assume they will pay," Rose added.

Also in preparation, Supervisors Brian Stuart and Richard Krochta last week visited another TGP pumping station in Sussex County, NJ. A TGP representative had invited all three supervisors to tour one of their stations earlier this year, but Krochta said the August 10 visit was unannounced.

Rose would not allow Krochta to comment on his appraisal of the visit prior to the hearing.

The supervisors have had no comment on the project, but last week upon a request from the audience, Supervisor John McKay took the unusual step of reading into the meeting minutes a Hawley News-Eagle story relating to noise complaints by pipeline neighbors in the Pittsburgh area.

Residents from Fawn Lake Forest and Bohemia are opposing the new project, citing safety concerns and a variety of environmental issues, including noise and air pollution.

The issue of property taxes may also be in question. One resident asked who would pay for wear and tear on township infrastructure during construction.

Rose said utilities make payments in lieu of taxes, but he was uncertain whether the pipeline company can seek the same kind of tax relief as that being sought under new state law by PP&L on its Lake Wallenpaupack properties.

The hearing is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. at the Central Fire Station, which borders the project land.

In other business last week, the supervisors approved a conditional use permit for Albert Reese's Route 6 vegetable stand; rejected an incomplete conditional use application for a basketball court and skating rink at Tink-Wig; heard details of a proposed ski lift for the Masthope ski area; approved $1000 in funding to Pike County's Survivors Resources to provide emergency housing for battered wives; and approved a PennDOT plan that would incorporate Scenic Drive, a portion of Route 590, the Towpath and Satellite roads, into a new state bicycle touring route.