Navarre officials say no to 'fracking' in village

For Village Council, the best course of action involves taking no action at all.

Monday, council agreed to take no action regarding permission to allow hydraulic fracturing, or “fracking,” within village limits.

A few months ago, council was approached by companies seeking permission to drill in the village. Since that time, Mayor Bob Benson said he continues to receive phone calls from companies seeking permission to drill. During a regular meeting Monday, he confirmed that council wanted to stick with its original plan.

“We did not want to take action, because we had some concerns,” Benson said after the meeting. “We felt it was safer to stay out of it all together.”

Benson said that the village has been assured the process is environmentally safe, but many concerns involve what could happen down the road.

“What about 50 years from now?” Benson said. “What if something breaks down the line and it messes up our aquifers?”

The village is in the process of having its water wells analyzed so it has a baseline reading and will know if there are any changes in the water supply as a result of any “fracking” or drilling that may occur in cities, townships or other areas around the village.

“All we can do,” Benson said, “is protect what have.”

In other business Monday, council:

•  Agreed to pay at least half of the roughly $2,500 in costs associated with an Eagle Scout project that would include installation of a bench and two trash cans at Navarre-Bethlehem Park. Braden Netzly, son of Councilman Derek Netzly, will lead the project.

Derek Netzly chose to abstain when the matter was brought to a vote.

•  Approved a six-month probationary period for Storm Todaro, who will serve as the newest member of the Navarre Fire Department.

•  Encouraged Fire Chief Shane Stantz to coordinate the monthly tornado siren tests with Massillon to ensure that, in an emergency, all sirens properly reach village residents.

http://www.cantonrep.com/news/x299890134/Navarre-officials-say-no-to-fracking-in-village