No moratorium for Lumberland

Supervisor LiGreci says, ‘Drilling is safe’

GLEN SPEY, NY — The town planning board requested it and the town environmental council supported the request, but the town board voted against establishing a one-year gas drilling moratorium in the Town of Lumberland at its August 13 meeting.

“It’s not a feasible thing to do because it can’t be enforced,” said supervisor John LiGreci. “We’re not going to waste time and taxpayer money. Gas drilling is safe for the people in the town.”

LiGreci explained that the board came to this determination based upon New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) findings. “DEC has determined that it’s safe. DEC is the biggest and most critical governing body in New York State that worries about the environment, the eagles, the trees and everything else that has to do with nature. There isn’t a more stringent agency than the DEC and they deemed this harmless.”

“We have no reason to try and stop this,” he added.

The board did pass a resolution aimed at protecting its roads and requesting home-rule authority to give the town jurisdiction to require steel tanks for storage of fluids generated during the fracking process and to implement assessment fees related to gas drilling.

LiGreci, who is also the chairman of the Sullivan County Association of Supervisors, offered an update on the status of that group’s efforts to gain tax relief for Sullivan County citizens. “The 15 towns are suing the state and the lawsuit should be ready in September,” said LiGreci. “Each town will recess its regular meeting and reconvene at the government center to take action against the state because they will not give us relief and they’re taxing us out of our homes.”

In other matters, the board took the following actions:

• Passed a resolution for a one-year trial period to allow residents the option to make tax payments in three installments.

• Issued a proclamation honoring August 24, 2008 the Seventh Anniversary of Ukrainian Independence.

• Announced that a revised Length of Service Award Program (LOSAP) will be revisited in the form of a referendum on the November ballot. Earlier this year, voters rejected a proposal that would have provided $30 per month per year of service to firemen and emergency personnel upon retirement. A public hearing will be scheduled to provide details about the new program being proposed by the Lumberland Fire Department.