New Middletown receives gas-drilling lease offer

NEW MIDDLETOWN — Village officials instructed Solicitor Jeffrey Heintz to examine a gas-drilling lease offered to the village.

Larry Schenk of Western Land Services, representing Hilcorp Energy Co., based in Houston, offered the village $4,000 per acre on signing and 18 percent royalties in exchange for a lease on its nearly three acres.

Heintz said told council at its meeting tonight if the village wants to sign a lease it would need to do so by ordinance. Heintz said such an ordinance should be presented for three readings over one or two months to allow for input by residents.

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