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www.mcall.com/news/local/all-b6_2palisades.6029717sep06,0,7123946.story themorningcall.com Palisades postpones 22-acre purchase until plan is clearerSchool board says public should hear how the land might be used. By Charles Malinchak Special to The Morning Call September 6, 2007 A Palisades School Board plan to buy 22 acres near the high school appears stalled until the board presents the public a better idea of what it might do with the nearly $1 million property. District officials began looking at the property, near Buck Drive, last year and, according to board member Stephen Kunkel, the board was ready to make a decision on whether or not to buy it in June. However, board members decided Wednesday night that, later this month, the board will hold a formal public presentation on what the property could be used, and a vote on the land deal will come later. Speaking about that presentation, Kunkel said, ''We want to make sure everyone is well informed.'' At this point, there are no firm plans for what the property would be used for other than needs that may arise. District Superintendent Frances Barnes said the justification for buying the land has been that the cost of property in the district continues to rise, and buying now rather than later would be a forward-thinking decision. ''Property in this area will never be cheap,'' he said. The district has not entered into any agreement with the owners, Joseph and Linda Gaibler, and is under no obligation to buy the land, which Barnes said is priced at $997,000. In addition to the land, the real estate would include a house and a barn. Kunkel said the district has been in talks with the Gaiblers since March, and it was hoped the board would have come to a decision this month. ''We can't string them along too long,'' he said. If the board decides to buy the property, it would be purchased using a $10 million bond issue arranged last year for several school improvement and expansion projects. Board Vice President David Oleksa said such a purchase would cost the average taxpayer about $10 per year. ''If we wait, say, another 10 years, the cost for the taxpayer would be a lot more than $10 a year,'' Oleksa said. While the district has no financial obligations to the property, it already has spent about $12,000 on a comprehensive survey of the land by the Quakertown engineering firm of Cowan Associates Inc. Several district residents said they oppose buying the land. Springfield Township resident Ken Simmons said, ''Take a deep breath and think of the seniors living on a fixed income. And you want to buy something you have no plans for. Please reconsider.'' Sean Kirk, of Durham Township, said the board should look more closely at what can be done with the property the district already owns. ''There are countless possibilities that we're not looking at,'' Kirk said. Nockamixon Township resident Tom Marley said such a purchase makes the district appear to be getting into the real estate holding business and added, ''I just don't see a reason for this acquisition.'' Barnes added that, while possible plans for the property would be outlined during the presentation, some that have already been expressed include a ninth-grade center, a school for fourth- and fifth-graders, a school of kindergarten and first grade, athletic fields or temporary parking. Copyright © 2007, The Morning Call
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Nockamixon may have no say over gasThursday, August 30, 2007 By Kevin J. Guhl Nockamixon Township's Supervisors are standing their ground on their ordinance that limits oil and gas drilling, despite their attorney's suggestion to pare it down. Attorney Terry Clemons suggested to Supervisors at their Aug. 21 meeting that the board introduce a curative amendment that would change the drilling ordinance so it would be less likely to be defeated in court. Supervisor Bruce Keyser said the potential curative amendment would eliminate various township guidelines such as hours of operations and bonds, and limit the ordinance to its proviso that drilling is allowed only in the township's industrial and quarry zones. Keyser said it appears that the majority of the board favors keeping the drilling ordinance as it is. "We're going to take our chances We're going to wait and see," said Keyser. "The (Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection) just sort of went over our heads and said (oil and gas companies) can drill anywhere." On Aug. 14, the PDEP issued Arbor Resources a permit to drill a natural gas well on the vacant Fleck property, a farm field on Durham Road in Kintnersville. According to the PDEP, Arbor is allowed to begin drilling almost immediately, giving Nockamixon and neighbors of the drilling site 24 hours notice. PDEP spokeswoman Lynda Rebarchak said that the state's oil and gas act does not grant townships a say over drilling. Nockamixon officials are keeping an eye on a Commonwealth Court ruling last month that prohibited Oakmont, a town in western Pennsylvania, from limiting the placement of natural gas wells, and Oakmont's possible appeal to the state Supreme Court. The Fleck property is zoned for residential and agricultural use in Nockamixon, and therefore drilling without a variance would violate the township ordinance. Supervisor Henry Gawronski said he's "positive" the majority of the board will vote to issue a cease-and-desist order to Arbor Resources if it starts drilling without going through the township, although he won't vote for the order. "Arbor would likely say, 'Take me to court,'" Gawronski said. "They could bankrupt us I don't think any of the taxpayers will say (we should) go ahead and fight this." "It's indefensible (in court)," Garwronksi said of the township's drilling ordinance. Gawronski said he would support a drilling ordinance that doesn't disallow whole zoning districts but rather sets guidelines "within reason." "Every landowner has a right and that's what America's about," Gawronski said.
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PennDOT: More spans deficientphillyBurbs.com -
Philadelphia,PA,USA |
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http://www.phillyburbs.com/pb-dyn/news/113-09212007-1411287.html
Water level drops at school well A well that supplies water to Palisades High School dropped 100 feet below its normal level last week, creating a scare the school could go without water. A second well that serves Durham-Nockamixon Elementary, next to the high school, dropped to the same level, but its supply was never in question because the deeper-reaching pump was able to draw from the lower depth. Levels are normal for wells that serve the district's other schools, officials said. Fortunately, district officials were quick to install a new pump at the high school's 500-foot well, which was able to reach the water supply and draw water. But the problem remains because officials don't know why the water level dropped, or if the supply could continue to deplete. |
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Water problem baffles Palisades officialsDistrict at loss to explain how high school well level dropped 100 feet. By Charles Malinchak Special to The Morning Call September 20, 2007 Palisades High School nearly ran out of water last week after district maintenance personnel discovered that the water level in the well dropped 100 feet. The reason for the drop in water is unknown. Palisades School District's facilities manager David Keppel told the school board Wednesday night, ''We're still scratching our heads as to what happened.'' Superintendent Frances Barnes said a well contractor was called to make repairs, including installing a new well pump, additional piping and electrical wiring. The total repair cost is not known, however the board approved spending no more than $9,200. Keppel said the well is about 500 feet deep, but the well pump had been set at 180 feet. When it was discovered there was no longer water at that depth, he said the pump was dropped to 280 feet. ''We are very concerned about this and are paying attention to it, but right now we do not know why,'' he said. Less than a quarter-mile from the high school is Palisades Middle School where Barnes said the water level is stable. And at the Durham-Nockamixon Elementary School, next to the high school, he said the water level also remained stable and is the same depth as the one at the high school. Barnes said an electronic data collection device will be used to monitor the well. Hans Reiman, vice-president of the Cooks Creek Watershed Association, said water levels throughout the area have dropped since rainfall is 4 inches below normal. Reiman also said the district was making a good start by installing the monitoring device.
Charles Malinchak is a freelance writer. http://www.mcall.com/news/local/all-b3_2palisades.6052329sep20,0,7062999.story
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Natural gas well drilling allowedThursday, August 23, 2007 By Kevin J. Guhl Delaware Valley News A Michigan oil and gas company received state permission last week to drill a natural gas well in Nockamixon Township, although a township ordinance forbids it. On Aug. 14, the Department of Environmental Protection (PDEP) issued Arbor Resources a permit to drill a natural gas well on the vacant Fleck property, a farm field on Durham Road. According to the PDEP, Arbor is allowed to begin drilling immediately on a 300-by-300-foot site -- almost the area of two football fields -- in the middle of the field. The site and related access road will not disturb wetlands or cross any streams, according to the PDEP. Water from the well drilling operation will be channeled into a series of basins, which will also be constructed on site. Erosion and sedimentation control measures will be taken to contain run-off from the site and access road. Nockamixon Township's zoning ordinance limits drilling of a gas well to the township's industrial and quarry zones, and Arbor's site is zoned for residential and agricultural use. Nockamixon's Zoning Officer Peter Bent said Arbor had yet to ask for a variance. Mr. Bent said that Nockamixon requires Arbor to seek a permit from the township for details such as site entry, hours of operation, and bonds in case there is any damage to the site and its surroundings. "We expect they need a permit from us," said Mr. Bent. "We'd like them to cooperate with us and I'm sure they will." But Mr. Bent added, "If we haven't received an application and we see they're starting active (drilling), I would certainly recommend to the Supervisors to give them a cease-and-desist (order)." Supervisor Bruce Keyser said he would vote for such an order in that case but said that the township's hands may be tied. "Apparently, the state can supersede all that stuff. This is going to be interesting I don't know what our options are." Arbor Resources Manager Terry Beia declined to comment but said the company would issue a press release about its operations in Nockamixon in a few weeks. Mr. Keyser said that a Commonwealth Court ruling last month prohibited Oakmont, a town in western Pennsylvania, from limiting the placement of natural gas wells. Supervisor Henry Gawronski said he doesn't agree that the township should restrict gas drilling. "I personally feel it's a losing battle," he said. "If the others (Supervisors) want to take this to court, we're going to get our butts kicked." Mr. Gawronski said he personally signed a lease with Arbor that would allow drilling and subsurface gas withdrawal on his property. He said he would not recuse himself from a vote on the matter because he represents all the Nockamixon residents who signed contracts with Arbor. According to the Bucks County Recorder of Deeds office, there are 309 leases in Nockamixon Township, 29 in Tinicum Township, nine in Haycock Township, two in Durham Township and one in Springfield Township. Arbor has another permit application before the PDEP for drilling a gas well on the 70-acre Braccia tract near the intersections of Route 412 and 611. That application hit a stumbling block when the proposed site was found to be on wetlands. "It's not like I'm selling this product," he said. "I think everyone should have a right. It's an equal and free country," Mr. Gawronski said. He acknowledged there is always potential danger in gas drilling operations but said he believes there's little chance of an accident. "This kind of project is not often found in our region," said PDEP Southeast Regional Director Joseph Feola. "With that being the case, we conducted a thorough technical review of the application and, as we move forward, will continue working closely with the Bucks County Health Department and conservation district to ensure that Arbor follows the conditions outlined in the permit." PDEP relied on staff from the oil and gas program in Pittsburgh to conduct the technical review of the application and the Southeast Regional Office received guidance from the central office in Harrisburg, he said. http://www.nj.com/delawarevalleynews/index.ssf?/base/news-0/1187859766311510.xml&coll=12 |
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Control over drilling soughtBy HILARY BENTMAN phillyBurbs.com Nockamixon officials continue to deliberate the impact a state court ruling will have on their ability to control natural gas drilling in the township. Nockamixon solicitor Terry Clemons advised supervisors Tuesday that one option is to file a curative amendment to their drilling ordinance to try to circumvent a couple of recent state court rulings that said municipal attempts to control drilling operations were invalid because they are preempted by a state law. “You may want to take some action to avoid the arguments presented,” said Clemons. How exactly Nockamixon would accomplish this was unclear at Tuesday's meeting. But timing is a key issue since last week the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection issued Michigan-based Arbor Operating LLC a permit to drill its first well on a property off Durham Road. Arbor can begin immediately, although the company is required to give the township 24 hours notice, according to the DEP. Nockamixon's ordinance, among other things, restricts natural gas drilling to the industrial and quarry areas of the township. The permit that was issued by the DEP applies to a property zoned residential. Last month, Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court issued a ruling that prohibits Oakmont, a borough near Pittsburgh, from limiting the placement of natural gas wells. The borough's actions, according to the court, were trumped by the Pennsylvania Oil and Gas Act. A similar decision was rendered for a case in Salem, Westmoreland County. Oakmont officials have until Monday to appeal to the state Supreme Court, and Nockamixon officials must decide if they want to wait for a ruling from the higher court. The process could take years, and Clemons recommends swifter action from the township, especially since Arbor could begin drilling soon. Meanwhile, a western Pennsylvania legislator is hoping to introduce a bill that would give local municipalities more control over oil and gas drilling operations. Rep. Camille Bud George, a Clearfield County Democrat, recently sent out a memorandum to his colleagues in the House looking for support. He wrote: “(The recent court) rulings are particularly troubling and potentially injurious as they strip away decision-making power with respect to oil and gas well operations from the municipalities and places the power in the hands of a few self-interested landowners and a few profit-minded oil and gas executives. As such, the concerns of neighbors, the town and the environment go largely unheard.” Arbor Resources representatives have gone door to door to get landowners in Upper Bucks to lease their properties so the company can explore for natural gas, which could be thousands of feet underground. Residents who signed the agreement have been promised upfront cash for the leased acreage and royalties from what's extracted. Hilary Bentman can be reached at (215) 538-6380 or hbentman@phillyBurbs.com
August 22, 2007 6:08 AM
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Supervisors advised on gas drillingNockamixon's solicitor says fast action may be needed on ordinance.By Charles Malinchak | Special to The Morning
Call Nockamixon Township's ordinance to regulate oil and gas drilling may have to be changed before any drill bits bore into the ground if the community wants those laws to have any teeth, according to the township's solicitor. Township solicitor Terry Clemens advised the township supervisors Tuesday night that the ordinance should be revised to make it different from the laws of two other municipalities that lost court battles with gas companies. ''You may want to take some action to avoid the questions raised in the Oakmont and Salem cases,'' he said.
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Neighbors petition for repairs on historic bridge phillyBurbs.com - Philadelphia,PA,USA By CHRISTOPHER RUVO NOCKAMIXON - Officials must immediately fix and reopen a collapsing historic bridge in order to prevent a deadly car crash, ... |
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Drilling closer in township Supervisor Henry Gawronski voted against the amendments, calling them "too restrictive." He. pointed out there are already state and federal regulations in ... |
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Permit sought for drillingBy HILARY BENTMAN It could be just a matter of months before the first drilling rig comes to Nockamixon. Michigan-based Arbor Resources LLC has submitted an application to the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection to drill for natural gas on land off Route 412, known as the Fleck property. DEP officials will start their technical review of the application, a process that can last 30 to 45 days, and then decide whether to issue a permit, said department spokeswoman Lynda Rebarchak. During this time, residents will have a chance to review the application at the Nockamixon Township building and submit their comments to the DEP. July 18, 2007 7:36 AM |
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Pennsylvania State Parks may close starting tomorrow until budget
is passed.
http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/news/newsreleases/2007/0707-closure.htm
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June 16, 2007Oil and gas company owners fined, suspended by DEPBy Dan Nephin Of The Associated Press The Bureau of Oil and Gas Management will use the money to plug
abandoned wells or to carry out other public health or
environmental protection activities. Catalyst has the financial
resources, skill and ability to operate in compliance with the
law, the DEP said. |
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April 18,
2007
Nockamixon restricts drilling as oil company seeks permitBy Kelly Madsen Special to The Morning Call Nockamixon Township has made its oil and natural gas drilling
ordinance more |
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A step toward natural gas drillingBy HILARY BENTMAN |
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Trail project heading eastBy MELISSA BUSCH The open space plan calls for the construction
of 160 miles of trails and greenways, some of which are in the
eastern and North Penn sections of the county. In 2003, the county
completed the $9.6 million Perkiomen Trail, which spans 19 miles
and 10 municipalities from its connection to Schuylkill River
Trail.
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Nockamixon Budget
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Thursday, January 11, 2007I Nockamixon votes to sell off 51 acresTract was focus of dispute over park By Kevin J. Guhl The Nockamixon Township supervisors voted 4-1 in a closed executive session Jan. 2 to sell the Gorham property, a 51-acre parcel that was mired in controversy as some supervisors had talked about using a private lane to get access to it.
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Gas drilling rules could be tightened
Two months after
becoming the first municipality in Bucks County to pass
regulations for the drilling of natural gas and oil, Nockamixon is
looking to tighten its rules. |
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May 19, 2006 Board plugs oil drilling loophole
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Nockamixon sets second forum on oil and gas drillingThursday, April 27, 2006
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http://www.phillyburbs.com/pb-dyn/news/113-04202006-644224.html
By HILARY BENTMAN
Nockamixon may soon be home to gas drilling rigs, but
officials are taking steps to keep them out of certain areas of
the township. |
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Bucks residents have second thoughts about gas drilling
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Wildcat oil well just north of PhillyBusiness News
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Gas drilling issue recalls explosive pastThe Intelligencer Fortunately the good people of Nockamixon are getting some advice about leasing their land for natural gas exploration. That's not the kind of thing you want to rush into uninformed. Nockamixon is a picturesque place with its wooded hills. You wonder what it would look like with a bunch of drilling derricks sprouting all over the place. Maybe they can camouflage them so they'll look like trees, the way they do with cell phone towers. Then again, those cell phone towers don't really look like trees, at least not like any trees that grow around here. |
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Residents considering drilling leases told to test waterMore than 200 listen to advice for Nockamixon
property owners wanting to sign a deal with a natural gas company.
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Shale wildcat planned north of PhiladelphiaOil & Gas Journal - Houston,TX,USA ... 94). The drillsite is in the Nockamixon area near Riegelsville, Pa., along the Delaware River 35 miles northwest of Philadelphia. ... By OGJ editors Arbor Resources LLC, Traverse City, Mich., is acquiring leases in northernmost Bucks County in hopes of drilling an 8,000-ft wildcat, press reports said. The drillsite would be near a wildcat drilled in 1985 by Northwest Energy that cut 2,000 ft of pay in a Jurassic organic shale in the Newark Supergroup (see maps, OGJ, July 20, 1998, p. 94). The drillsite is in the Nockamixon area near Riegelsville, Pa., along the Delaware River 35 miles northwest of Philadelphia. Nearest hydrocarbon production appears to be at least 100 miles northwest in and around Bradford County, Pa. Formed in 1993, Arbor Resources has produced oil and gas properties in Michigan and has expanded into Ohio, New York, and Pennsylvania.
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Drilling forum packs them in
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http://pa.mypublicnotices.com/PublicNotice.asp?Page=PublicNotice&AdId=363569
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