A number of community members spoke at a public hearing Wednesday regarding a proposed one-year moratorium on hydrofracking in the town of Penfield.
If passed, this would prohibit fracking-related activities like natural gas and petroleum exploration and extraction and underground storage of these substances and disposal of their byproducts for one year.
Eight of the ten speakers said they support the moratorium, many voicing their concerns over the impact of water contamination caused by disposal of wastewater produced by drilling.
In March, a group of anti-fracking residents asked the Town Board for a moratorium. Since then, the board has reviewed its existing code, which is already being revised to be more current, in order to determine whether any further language should be added to further prevent the practice.
Supervisor Tony LaFountain said he and other staff learned more about the risks of fracking at a state conference, and this prompted them to draft a moratorium.
Although no gas or oil companies have yet expressed interest in fracking within town limits, LaFountain said a more realistic impact is the use of local highways for construction vehicles and heavy machinery by municipalities who gave it the OK.
Resident Joyce Herman, who supports the moratorium, agreed.
"We are the potential recipients of poisons and toxins regardless of what we do as a town," she said.
Her husband Robert said he isn't convinced there is a "responsible" way to dispose of wastewater produced by fracking.
"We already have a problem with sewage going into the water system. We don't need chemicals and poisons," he said, adding that he fears the impact fracking will have on selling mortgage properties that sit on land where the practice is permitted.
While the sentiment was largely supportive of the moratorium, with some asking the town to go further and ban the practice altogether, some still aren't willing to dismiss fracking so soon.
Ed Walluck said he agrees that byproduct disposal is an issue, but, if done responsibly, fracking could bring new jobs and income to the region.
Another resident said via email that she supports petroleum drilling if the dangers are "managed with care and professionalism."
The Town Board will discuss the feedback given on the proposed moratorium at its work session next Wednesday, Sept. 12.
A number of community members spoke at a public hearing Wednesday regarding a proposed one-year moratorium on hydrofracking in the town of Penfield.
If passed, this would prohibit fracking-related activities like natural gas and petroleum exploration and extraction and underground storage of these substances and disposal of their byproducts for one year.
Eight of the ten speakers said they support the moratorium, many voicing their concerns over the impact of water contamination caused by disposal of wastewater produced by drilling.
In March, a group of anti-fracking residents asked the Town Board for a moratorium. Since then, the board has reviewed its existing code, which is already being revised to be more current, in order to determine whether any further language should be added to further prevent the practice.
Supervisor Tony LaFountain said he and other staff learned more about the risks of fracking at a state conference, and this prompted them to draft a moratorium.
Although no gas or oil companies have yet expressed interest in fracking within town limits, LaFountain said a more realistic impact is the use of local highways for construction vehicles and heavy machinery by municipalities who gave it the OK.
Resident Joyce Herman, who supports the moratorium, agreed.
"We are the potential recipients of poisons and toxins regardless of what we do as a town," she said.
Her husband Robert said he isn't convinced there is a "responsible" way to dispose of wastewater produced by fracking.
"We already have a problem with sewage going into the water system. We don't need chemicals and poisons," he said, adding that he fears the impact fracking will have on selling mortgage properties that sit on land where the practice is permitted.
While the sentiment was largely supportive of the moratorium, with some asking the town to go further and ban the practice altogether, some still aren't willing to dismiss fracking so soon.
Ed Walluck said he agrees that byproduct disposal is an issue, but, if done responsibly, fracking could bring new jobs and income to the region.
Another resident said via email that she supports petroleum drilling if the dangers are "managed with care and professionalism."
The Town Board will discuss the feedback given on the proposed moratorium at its work session next Wednesday, Sept. 12.
