It's a case of dueling moratoriums.
Town of Oneonta residents and others will have a chance to voice their opinions on two moratoriums related to gas drilling during a special meeting of the town board Monday.
One moratorium, brought forth by town Supervisor Robert Wood, is an amalgamation of earlier moratorium drafts by town Attorney Richard Harlem and one by anti-gas drilling lawyer David Slottje. The 12-month moratorium proposal focuses on all forms drilling and associated activities, such as the storage of drilling related materials.
The other was drafted by Harlem and brought forth by Councilman Bill Mirabito. It would impose a five-month moratorium on hydraulic fracturing and horizontal drilling only. Vertical drilling would still be allowed.
The town board will meet at 7 p.m. Monday for public hearings, and Wood said Wednesday he expects votes on one or both of the moratoriums to follow the public hearing.
There are no drilling operations in the town of Oneonta, and although there is land leased for drilling, no permits are pending.
A moratorium is a temporary restriction on development to allow municipalities time to consider changes to their land-use regulations.
The state has its own moratorium on hydraulic fracturing, which will expire this June, although efforts are under way in the Legislature to extend it.
The town has a ban on mining without special approval. Gas drilling is defined as a mining operation under that law, which was passed in 2004 and was driven by a concern over gravel mines, rather than gas drilling.
Both proposed moratoriums can be found at www.townofoneonta.org.
Local News
Town to hold public hearing on gas drilling moratoriums
- Local News
-
-
Area students to highlight growing veggies in festival
Next Wednesday will be a day for gardening in Cooperstown. It is the date of the annual Spring Festival at the elementary school's Kid Garden and the start of a new initiative to involve the whole family in gardening called Growing Community.
-
New Chamber head outlines plans for economy
Barbara Ann Heegan plans to take an inventory of the local economy by stopping in at businesses _ small, medium and large _ in her role as executive director of the Otsego County Chamber.
-
State to stop fingerprinting food stamp recipients
The state will no longer require fingerprints for food stamp applicants and recipients, according to a media release from Gov. Andrew Cuomo.
-
Hill hopefuls Tyner, Schreibman may debate
COOPERSTOWN -- Democratic congressional hopeful Julian Schreibman said Monday he will accept an invitation from the Otsego County Democratic Committee to debate rival candidate Joel Tyner "as long as we can straighten out all of the logistics of it."
-
Attorney: Kennel owner doesn't want to pay upkeep tab
A lawyer for embattled kennel operator Frank Popolizio said Monday he will oppose an effort by the Susquehanna SPCA to force the Worcester-based dog dealer to pay the costs of feeding and housing dozens of seized dogs being held as potential evidence in the case.
-
Woman, 22, killed in two-car accident
A two-car crash in northern Otsego County on Saturday claimed the life of a Herkimer County woman.
-
Chobani plant evacuated after ammonia leak
The Chobani plant in New Berlin was evacuated after an ammonia leak at about 9 a.m. Monday, according to published reports.
-
'Go Green' course for kids starts in July
A summer program for area students will focus on "green" topics, and how scientists think and work.
- Monday, May 21, 2012
-
IBM exec urges grads to seek their 'life's passion' and 'nurture personal relationships'
Hundreds of SUNY Oneonta students graduated Saturday during ceremonies complete with pomp and circumstance, peppered with applause and featuring keynote speakers giving final lectures _ of sorts.
-
On the Bright Side: Woman of Distinction: Schoharie business owner honored
A third-generation owner of a family-run business has been named the the 2012 Senate "Woman of Distinction" for the 51st Senate District.
-
Crouch, SUNY chairman offer advice to SUNY Delhi grads
SUNY Delhi held its 95th annual commencement Saturday in the Clark Field House, where 453 associate degrees, 155 baccalaureate degrees and 77 certificates were awarded.
- Saturday, May 19, 2012
-
Area landlords busy as semester ends
Although graduation will take place for SUNY Oneonta students Saturday, things are not slowing down for the landlords who rent to them.
-
Back when White House hopefuls didn't fear reporters
Tall, thin and with steely blue eyes, the candidate breezed into the gym for a staged rally in his honor. A few Secret Service agents milled about. The walls were adorned with red, white and blue bunting and helium-filled balloons bumped against the ceiling.
-
Oxford man buys firm from boss
An Oxford man has bought the company that employed him, most recently as plant manager.
-
DEC, Sherburne-Earlville High School students to tag ash trees
Students from Sherburne-Earlville High School's Advanced Placement biology class will be assisting the state Department of Environmental Conservation's Region 7 next week by tagging ash trees on the school's campus.
-
Otsego groups sponsor photo contest
Otsego Land Trust and Otsego Lake Association are sponsoring a photo contest titled "Water, Water Everywhere." The contest is open to all residents of Otsego County and neighboring towns.
- Friday, May 18, 2012
-
Heegan selected to lead Otsego Chamber
ONEONTA -- Barbara Ann Heegan who has promoted living in Oneonta for five years is expanding her professional role to promote business in Otsego County.
-
Project brings world to students through technology
ONEONTA -- 15 Valleyview Elementary School students are working regularly with their counterparts from around the world -- without leaving their building.
-
Daily Star names new publisher
Mitchell Lynch, 46, a 28-year newspaper industry veteran, was named the publisher of The Daily Star and Cooperstown Crier on Thursday.
-
Pipeline reps get chilly reception from area residents
HARPERSFIELD -- After project managers spent two hours explaining how builders of the planned Constitution Pipeline would make every effort to minimize impacts to farms, fields and woodlots during the construction phase, the widow named Barbara Elmore declared she could never warm up to the venture.
-
Area students to highlight growing veggies in festival
