The newness of Marcellus Shale gas drilling is destined to spawn many more questions and concerns — and fears — than already have been voiced. Rex Energy didn't enhance its image — or ease public concerns — by the attitude the company displayed at a public hearing Monday in Lancaster Township dealing with a conditional land use application.

As a Butler Eagle article on Tuesday reported, the company's lawyer, Michael Vennum, repeatedly refused to answer questions from residents concerning safety procedures and other aspects of the company's proposed drilling operation on a residential property in the township.

Vennum, who said he would be willing to discuss residents' concerns about safety off the record and away from the public hearing, argued that the hearing was aimed at addressing questions about zoning issues, not safety concerns.

But he also suggested that residents discuss their concerns with the state Department of Environmental Protection's Meadville office. He said DEP governs almost all of the regulations surrounding Marcellus Shale drilling.

"You may object (to drilling), but this isn't the forum for your objection," Vennum told the hearing audience.

Like others in attendance, township Supervisor John Meyer, who was aware of the parameters of the hearing, wasn't pleased with Vennum's conduct.

"We've worked with you in the past," Meyer said. "I don't appreciate the attitude we're receiving tonight."

Even if answering residents' questions about the proposed drilling wasn't precisely within the hearing's official parameters, the company would not have been wrong in coming to the hearing prepared to address any questions that arose. In fact, it would have done itself a favor if such a willingness had been exercised.

Residents might have left the hearing more comfortable about the proposed drilling. Instead, the refusal to answer residents' questions on the record at the hearing no doubt enhanced suspicions about the company's plans and intentions and increased fears, not vice versa.

More important, from Rex' standpoint, the township supervisors, rather than approving the conditional use application on Monday, decided to table the application until Aug. 15, despite a lease already being in place between the landowners and Rex.

Either at the Aug. 15 meeting or before, there should be a forum for dealing with Monday's questions. Township residents deserve that consideration.

The conditional use application, if approved, would allow six wells to be drilled on the property in question.

With numerous problems surrounding Marcellus Shale drilling operations having been reported by news media during the past year, Lancaster residents' concerns shouldn't be pooh-poohed by anyone as being an overreaction. Drilling companies should be respectful and open toward any uneasiness they encounter.

For some people, all that they've worked for throughout their adult lives might be at stake. A drilling operation gone wrong could damage the value of a property for years to come.

Rex Energy and property owners are entitled to make money from natural gas extraction, but with that right comes the obligation to work cooperatively with the community and, especially, those whom the company's work directly impacts.

Unfortunately, Vennum's attitude on Monday wasn't aligned with that obligation.