Gas leases landing in Highland; town to step away from Greenway

By SANDY LONG

ELDRED, NY — Vera Sclawy, a Town of Highland landowner, stood up at the town meeting on May 15 to say that gas drilling companies have contacted her to declare their interest in the gas or oil that might be buried under her land. The retired nurse did some research. Alarmed at what she learned, she asked the town board to investigate the matter further.

Sclawy’s comments were echoed by other citizens, and before the meeting concluded, a member of the Beaver Brook Rod and Gun Club, said that their club is in the process of finalizing a lease with a gas-drilling company. Others asked questions about environmental impacts and whether tax-exempt properties would experience a change in their tax status once a commercial activity, such as gas harvesting, begins.

Supervisor Tina Palecek said that the board would gather information and continue exploring the matter at the upcoming workshop session scheduled for June 3 at 7:00 p.m. in the town hall. The public is encouraged to attend.

The board also approved a resolution to withdraw from participation in the Upper Delaware River Greenway Plan in order to gain time to research the matter. “The only reason for this action is to assure that it is in the best interest of the town to participate,” said Palecek.

Palecek also announced that she has halted the town’s highway building project until further notice to find more affordable solutions for the town. The proposed project is currently estimated at $1.7 million.

Chief constable Mike Walton noted that the town’s Parade Committee has cancelled its annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade for 2009, due to rising costs and an increase in alcohol-related incidents.