(Town of Lebanon, NY – Aug. 2014) Lebanon town officials will hear an update on the status of natural gas development in the Town of Lebanon, Madison County and the region when they convene for their monthly board meeting on Monday Sept, 8 at 7:30 p.m. at the Town office, 1210 Bradley Brook Road in the hamlet.
Colgate Professor of Geology Bruce Selleck will present an update for the town board and the public on the present and future status of natural gas development as it relates to regional shale formations.
The public is invited to attend.
Town board members will also discuss highway issues including the recent acquisition of a new Stadium International 2015 truck, the damages to the 2004 Stadium International that was recently involved in a highway accident, impact of rising salt prices on the 2015 town budget, the town’s proposed road use law and progress on town road repair projects.
Town officials will also hear updates on the status of code enforcement violations, greet the town’s new Dog Control Officer, review updates on the ongoing issues with the town office water well with regard to sand infiltration and discuss the anticipated challenges of the 2015 budget that is likely to require a tax cap override due to the drop in assessed valuation tied to natural gas production and prices.
Professor Selleck is expected to address these and other issues in his presentation which will include:
Overview of natural gas development and economics in North America
The Marcellus and Utica gas plays in the Appalachian Basin
The Marcellus and Utica in New York State
Potential for gas shale development in southern Madison County
Political, economic and other factors
Town officials discussed the impact of declining gas production and values on the town’s total assessed valuation at the August board meeting in Randallsville, authorized the purchase and bonding of the new Stadium International truck and heard updates on code enforcement issues, appointed a new dog control officer with the current DCO providing some orientation and training, approved the Georgetown ambulance contract and agreed in light of the anticipated town budget already being 1.5 percent over last year due to the reduced valuation, that a tax cap override would be necessary.
Town board members agreed that town officials will have to take that into consideration as the town examines the likely override due to rising state retirement, insurance and fuel costs. Road salt is also increasing by 37 percent on state bid effective Sept. 1.