DELHI _ The Delaware County Board of Supervisors voted Wednesday to support drilling for natural gas in the Marcellus shale on the condition that the state's Supplemental Generic Environmental Impact Statement addresses environmental concerns with sound science and regulatory safeguards.
Meredith Supervisor Keitha Capouya was the only dissenting vote.
Capouya said she disagrees with the adequacy of the state Department of Environmental Conservation's study because she said the agency doesn't have enough staff to do a complete study.
Davenport Supervisor Dennis Valente
said, "It's important to understand that
anyone who switches on a light or turns up
a thermostat is having an environmental impact. (Natural-gas drilling) is just another one of
those things we are going to have to bear."
Colchester Supervisor
Bob Homovich said he and Hancock Supervisor Sam Rowe are
organizing a meeting at 7 p.m.
Monday in Downsville Central School with residents along the corridor between the two towns for additional discussions about drilling for natural gas in the area.
"Delaware County has survived on using our natural resources," Homovich
said.
"Natural-gas drilling is no different than harvesting trees, quarrying bluestone or farming the land. This has the most potential long-term financial impact for the county.
We have to go back to putting the economic well-being of the residents first. We have got to do something that is going to pull us out of the hole financially," he said.
According to the resolution, "Delaware County is now and in the near future will be facing very challenging economic times in which county services and businesses could face substantial contraction.
"Natural gas drilling presents an economic opportunity with immense potential for retaining existing businesses, development of new businesses with the associated employment opportunities while contributing significantly to national goals of a cleaner environment and energy independence."
The board also passed a resolution accepting a $165,872 grant from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for public-health preparedness and response for swine flu activities.
The goal is to conduct education and public awareness and increase availability of H1N1 immunization services.
Public Health Director Bonnie Hamilton said there is a lull in H1N1 cases, so people are being encouraged to get immunized.
Hamilton said there was a clinic in Walton on Wednesday and another will be held Dec. 30 at Roxbury Central School for anyone between the ages of 6 months and 64 years.
The organizational meeting of the Board of Supervisors is scheduled for 1 p.m. Jan. 6 in the Supervisors' Room of the County Office Building in Delhi.
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Patricia Breakey can be reached at 746-2894 or at stardelhi@stny.rr.com
