Franklin Park holding informational meeting Monday on proposal to drill under park

Franklin Park is holding an information meeting at 7 p.m. on Monday to provide residents more information about a proposal to allow drilling for Marcellus Shale gas under Linbrook Park.

Council postponed its Dec. 19 vote to permit PennEnergy Resources to drill under the 80-acre park after residents raised concerns about the potential risks to the environment.

The proposed five-year lease with the energy company calls for an up-front payment to the borough of $283,500 plus an 18-percent royalty on the value of any gas that is extracted.

PennEnergy plans to place the well head about 3/4 of a mile outside the park in neighboring Economy borough in Beaver County, according to borough officials.

At least two experts on the processes used to extract natural gas from Marcellus Shale are scheduled to attend the Jan. 14 meeting to answer questions. Residents also will have the opportunity to comment about the proposal.

The meeting will be held in the activity center in Blueberry Hill Park, which is located along Blaine’s Way.

The borough already has created rules that limit drilling to the mostly rural section of the borough in the northwest quadrant near the border with Marshall Township.

While municipalities can set reasonable restrictions for drilling, they cannot forbid if from taking place because it is regulated by the state.

Even if council votes against the request to extract gas from under the park, surrounding property owners would be free to lease their lands for drilling.

Tony LaRussa is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Tony at 724-772-6368 or tlarussa@tribweb.com or via Twitter @TonyLaRussaTrib.