Supervisors say letter about seismic testing contained misinformation
DUNBAR TWP. — Township supervisors expressed their displeasure Thursday night with a letter they said contained misinformation about the township’s seismic testing.
Supervisor Chairman John Tabaj said a letter was posted in the Leisenring post office that said seismic testing would be done in Leisenring.
“No roads in Leisenring are going to have seismic testing,” Tabaj said. “I don’t know who printed this letter … but we have all the people in Leisenring upset about it. I’m kind of upset that our seniors are really upset about it. It’s putting fear into them, and they have enough to worry about.”
The letter also said the supervisors voted for seismic testing without holding a public meeting, and advised people to obtain a home inspection before the testing begins.
However, Solicitor Tim Witt said the township signed a road agreement, which protects township roads within the boundary of the testing from potential damage.
“I’m just appalled that somebody would do this,” Tabaj said. “The whole thing is untrue.”
To address the issue of the seismic testing, the supervisors invited a representative of McDonald Land Services of Lemont Furnace to explain the testing process. The company has been working since 2010 on permitting the project, said Rod White, project coordinator for McDonald Land Services.
He said the testing is an exploration of the sub strata below the earth to see if an area can produce natural gas.
“This is a very, very scientific operation,” White said.
He said there is no compensation to the landowner for performing seismic testing.
Some people in attendance expressed concerns about employees of McDonald Land Services entering a person’s property without permission. White said if a person is not home at the time employees access a person’s land, they leave contact information on the homeowner’s door.
Additionally, White suggested residents could have a home inspection performed on their home prior to the testing; however, Marigrace Butela, Dunbar Township tax collector said the company is not giving residents enough time to do so.
White said letters had previously been sent out to township residents explaining the process.
In other business, supervisors:
n Announced that the paving project along Ridge Boulevard has commenced.
n Announced that a spring clean-up day will take place on May 9 for Advanced Disposal customers. The clean-up day provides residents with the opportunity to dispose of larger items, such as refrigerators, couches, lounge chairs and bagged yard material.
n Announced that residents can burn on Wednesdays and Saturdays from daylight to nighttime.
n Announced that the Hard to Recycle event will take place from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. May 18 at the Fayette County Fairgrounds. People can bring old appliances, electronics and tires.
n Announced that they are hiring two summer employees.