Well pad site discussed again in S. Strabane
A decision has been made and conditions agreed upon, but the Munce well site conversation between South Strabane Township and Range Resources continues.
South Strabane Board of Supervisors on June 28 approved a conditional use application from Range for a well site on Meadows View Road in an A-1 agricultural district. The energy company agreed to 42 conditions ranging from lighting to truck routes to sound barriers, but supervisors called for a special meeting Monday to once again discuss the project.
“We have a new solicitor on board. He has a different impression of things,” said Supervisor Edward Mazur. “We as a board didn’t have much input (on the application). I was never asked, ‘Do you agree with condition such and such?’ We need to get clarified if (solicitor Dennis Makel) agrees with everything.”
Attorney Jack Cambest was the solicitor when Range filed a lawsuit against the township May 20, challenging how the application was handled. The planning commission recommended to deny the application May 5.
Cambest was dismissed by supervisors and Makel was appointed Aug. 9.
Makel said the township received Munce paperwork from Range the day before last week’s scheduled board meeting and supervisors wanted the opportunity to review and discuss it.
Range’s attorney Max Junker said the gas driller plans to withdraw the lawsuit when approval is finalized.
“If the application stands as agreed … there’s no point to continue that action,” Junker said.
Junker said the 42 agreed-upon conditions closely resemble those of South Strabane’s other two well sites, Baumel and Zediker Station, plus the stipulation that Range updates the township on the well’s status monthly.
Range received approval in 2010 to build a well pad with one well. Five wells are now planned for the Munce site.
According to Range, the well pad is to be approximately 480 feet by 315 feet. The route directs well traffic to exit Route 79 at Racetrack Road, take Route 19 south to Davis School Road then to Meadows View Road.
Wells at the Baumel site are under operation and construction continues at the Zediker site. Range filed suit against the township for both sites after they were denied.