Moon Supervisors to Tour Marcellus Shale Drilling Sites

The Moon Board of Supervisors soon will visit Marcellus Shale drilling sites in the township.

Atlas Energy, which plans to drill in several locations in the township, will escort board members on a tour of the sites this spring. A date has not been determined.

At the board’s monthly workshop meeting Wednesday night, Supervisor Marv Eicher said he was concerned that the township's ordinances for gas and oil drilling failed to properly address Marcellus Shale drilling.

"We ought to get started on revising our ordinances," he said. "I'm a believer that we should have a Marcellus Shale ordinance."

Eicher said the current gas and oil and construction ordinances would place restrictions on drilling companies in the township.

"Right now you can't do construction after 9 p.m. or work on holidays or Sundays, so they would be violating that," Eicher said. "Now, my understanding is when you start drilling you can't stop."

Board Chairman Jim Vitale said the board would discuss the issue at an April meeting.

Other items addressed:

Residents from the Bon Meade neighborhood presented plans for the renovation of a neighborhood playground.

The residents, who said they plan to raise $30,000 to buy new equipment for the township-owned playground, requested that the board match their contribution. The board approved their request, though residents were not sure when the renovation project would begin.

"I'm kind of embarrassed that we didn't take the lead on this project," said Supervisor Tim McLaughlin. "I think it's a great project."

Giant Eagle Inc. also gave a brief presentation. The company plans to renovate the empty Texaco gas station on University Boulevard and convert it to a GetGo convenience store and gas station. The company will construct a sidewalk and plant trees surrounding the current facility but has no plans to expand the structure.