SHARON Resident questions placement of gas well

SHARON, Pa. -- Jon Freeman wants to know why a commercial gas well was allowed to be drilled in a residential area of the city.
Freeman, who lives about 500 feet from the well in the 100 block of Stambaugh Avenue, showed up at a city council meeting Thursday to question why zoning laws wouldn't prohibit Wilkes Energy Inc. from drilling where it did.
"That has no place in a residential area," he said, citing a concern about safety.
Council members said they had no knowledge of the well, but Michael Gasparich, city finance director, said council approved the drilling, although not in that specific location.
The well was to be drilled off Wengler Avenue, but the company couldn't get its equipment into that location and picked a new site, Gasparich said.
Seeking permission
Atty. William Madden, city solicitor, said the city didn't give the company permission to drill in any specific area but only gave it permission to tap any gas that might be beneath city streets.
Gasparich said the company had to get written approval from all residents living within 360 feet of the drilling site before the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection would issue a state drilling permit.
Madden said the key question is whether drilling a gas well is permitted in a residential area under city zoning.
If it isn't, the city code office could issue a cease and desist order, he said.