Residents Voice Opposition to Gas Wells in Highland Heights Park

Residents told officials they don't want to have two gas wells in the , even if it means paying off a lawsuit.

A proposal to lease two gas wells to Bass Energy was on the agenda at Tuesday's council meeting. The plan is an attempt to settle a $7 million lawsuit filed by Bass Energy in 2008, after the city tried to back out of a gas well lease.

Sean Milroy reminded city officials that residents had their say on the issue in November 2008, when a charter amendment prohibiting park land from being sold or leased without voter approval passed with 73 percent of the vote.

"The people of Highland Heights voted for the preservation of park land," Milroy said. "You're not allowed to do that, the people have spoken. If you're doing this out of fear of ligitation, what happens when we have earthquakes like Youngstown is having now?"

David Lees said incidents in Bainbridge, Medina and Chester Township have proved that gas wells are not safe.

"I do not believe frac gas wells are safe in urban areas and I fear for our ground water," he said.

Also voicing opposition were former Mayors Fran Hogg and Tom Hughes. Hogg said state laws allowing gas wells on government land do not take away the city's right to protect its property, while Hughes suggested that it would be better to sell bonds to finance the cost of paying off the lawsuit rather than allow gas wells in the park.

"I don't see any accountability for where we are today on this issue," Hughes said. "I would tell Bass Energy, 'Anywhere but the park.'"

Before the public comments, Council President Cathy Murphy assured audience members that the gas well lease will be discuss at three council meetings and at least one committee session, at which she's attempting to get a representative from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources who is well-versed in the gas well drilling process.

"We want to hear from you and we want you to have that opportunity," she said.

Murphy said the earliest the proposed lease would come up for a final vote would be at the March 13 council meeting.