Crescent Township to Require Permits for Marcellus Shale Drilling

Correction: Board of Commissioners President Bill Cook was misidentified in the story as Commissioner Jerry Keller. The below story has been corrected. 

Gas and oil drilling companies seeking to operate in must now apply for a permit.

The township's Board of Commissioners last night passed an amendment to its zoning ordinances that requires drilling companies to receive a permit from the township for gas drilling or exploration. Companies must also pay a fee when applying for the permit.

The ordinance is meant to address potential Marcellus shale drilling activity in the township. At its February meeting, the board voted to advertise the zoning change to the public.

"This establishes a permit fee no different than if you were building a deck or building a house," said board Chairman Bill Cook. "Companies will have to get a permit to do this here."

The board also approved the purchase of a 2011 Ford Crown Victoria police car for $24,975. The car will  replace another in the township's three-car police fleet, Cook said. The vehicle being replaced has more than 100,000 miles on it.

The township purchased its two previous police vehicles through grant money, but Cook said the township was unable to find outside funding for the new car.

"It just wasn't feasible," he said. "The grant money just wasn't there."

Cook said the board would decide whether to sell the old police vehicle or use it for other township purposes.

The board allotted $25,000 for a new police vehicle in its 2011 fiscal budget.

The board also approved the placement of job advertisements in local newspapers to fill the full-time position of township assistant secretary.