Sep 17, 2013 By Erin Hayes for The 2 min read

POINT MARION — Residents concerned about upcoming seismic testing near their homes and a proposed ordinance that would hold landlords accountable for the actions of their tenants are encouraged to have their concerns addressed at a town hall meeting set for 7 p.m. Sept. 19 at the borough’s fire hall on Cheat Street.

Council members set the date at their regular meeting earlier this month, after representatives from Geokinetics gave a brief presentation of the company’s seismic testing plan along Routes 119 and 88 in the borough. The company also wants permission to conduct additional testing along secondary roads within the community.

Council members have voiced concerns about how the testing, which sends vibrations up to 14,000 feet into the ground, might affect the foundations and pipes of the older homes, as well as the borough’s storm sewer system.

Also slated for public discussion at the town hall is a proposed ordinance that would address blighted areas of the community by requiring local landlords to register their rental properties, comply with safety code inspections, and ultimately hold them responsible for actions of their tenants.

Council solicitor Gene Grimm has said he added a subsection to the ordinance draft that would also prohibit the use, possession, sale or distribution of controlled substances.