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Lansing Town Board members considered a draft of a moratorium on any new heavy industrial activities within the Town Wednesday, and set a public hearing.  Officials say that as soon as an agreed-upon draft is ready it will be made available to the public at the Town Hall and on the Town Web site.  Supervisor Kathy Miller asked board members to review the draft and decide at an April 25th meeting whether the wording is acceptable as-is or needs revision.

"If we are all on the same page we'll get it out to the public right away," Miller said.

Officials hope to pass the one year moratorium into law next month.  The purpose is to give officials time to put ordinances and policies into place that will protect the town from the potential consequences of natural gas and oil drilling.  With the state Department of Environmental Conservation on the brink of allowing drilling licensing across New York State, Town officials anxious to pass the law now.

Last week Town Attorney Guy Krogh prepared a 20 page document that will become the moratorium law, if passed.  He said he would try to turn around any changes board members request within a day.  Krogh noted that Tompkins County will also need an opportunity to comment, but said they will likely expedite their response. 

The board voted unanimously to schedule the public hearing for May 2 at 7:05pm.

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