Survey results presented at the Meredith Town Board meeting on October 11 indicate that an overwhelming majority of respondents oppose drilling for natural gas in the Town. Of 624 respondents, 76.6 percent were opposed to drilling, 13.6 percent were in favor and 9.8 percent were undecided.

Larry Bennett and Bob Rosen of the Meredith Landowners Coalition told the meeting that the survey was mailed in September to a total of 838 households–consisting of all 521 local households and 317 households of non-resident landowners. Of the 831 surveys, 383 were returned, achieving a response rate of 46 percent. The survey provided for responses from one or more individuals in a household.

The second question on the survey asked, “Should the Town of Meredith have the power to ban gas drilling?” Of the 624 respondents, 77.4 percent said yes, 25.2 percent said no and 7.4 percent were undecided.

Under existing state law, local municipalities appear to lack the power to ban drilling, but the issue will likely be decided in lawsuits currently pending in the state courts.

The New York State Department of Conservation has proposed that drilling be banned in the New York City Watershed plus a 4,000-foot buffer zone beyond it. Such a ban would cover 32 miles in the 58 miles comprising Meredith.

A breakdown of survey results along with comments from respondents can be found at the Meredith Landowners Coalition website (www.meredith-coalition.org).