FRANKLIN TWP — A group of residents worried about natural gas drilling on Monday threatened to sue the township if limits aren’t set on a company leasing land along Election House Road.

“We’ve already retained a lawyer,” said resident Bill Meyer. “We will sue the supervisors and the township.”

Meyer said after the meeting that his group can’t stop the drilling, but it can pressure the township into regulating aspects of it.

His group of 15 is protesting XTO Energy’s plan to build a well pad on part of Clair Cratty’s 551 acres. This would be the first natural gas drilling site in the township.

Supervisor Herman Bauer, board chairman, declined to comment on the potential litigation, but said in an interview that residents’ pleas aren’t being swept under the rug.

“We understand people’s concerns,” Bauer said.

He said before the meeting that XTO should be ready within a couple months to present a land development plan to the township.

“They’d like to get started this summer,” Bauer said.

While the township can’t stop the drilling after the state Department of Environmental Protection issues a permit, residents want XTO to practice safety.

Meyer told the supervisors that drilling sites should be kept as far as possible from residences.

“You folks have the power to set limits,” he said.

Meyer suggested well pads be located 1,500 feet from any house and a mile from any school.

Roughly 30 people attended the meeting. Most voiced opposition to drilling.