BUTLER TWP — Several residents voiced concerns Monday night at the commissioners meeting about natural gas well pads in residential zones of the township.

The township commissioners approved in April an XTO Energy pad on a more than 30-acre property on Schaffner Road.

The property is less than a half mile from Preston Park and a little more than a mile from the Butler Intermediate High School.

Residents voiced concerns about potential health risks associated with unconventional drilling as well as decreases in property values.

“It’s just plain stupid,” said Joe McMurry. “I hope at the very least the commissioners get drilling out of residential zones. It’s just the right thing to do.”

McMurry argued that natural gas drilling is an industrial activity and should be left out of residential zones.

“To turn the whole township into a massive industrial zone is unconstitutional,” he said, adding the township could be open to potential lawsuits.

It was a claim township solicitor Lawrence Lutz disagreed with.

“The township can be sued by anyone for any reason at any time,” he said. “But we have an ordinance that does regulate drilling in compliance with the law.”

Sam Hoszwa argued the proximity of the property to homes and Preston Park puts people in danger of health issues.

He claimed that his family has experienced burning throats and blames the condition on pads in the township.

He said his home is more than three miles from the current pads, whereas the closest home to the proposed Schaffner Road pad would be about 1,200 feet.

He called XTO’s safety record “abysmal,” citing past violations the state Department of Environmental Protect had against the company.

“People in Butler Township expect a relatively reasonable amount of protection regarding their families’ health and safety,” he said. “These expectations are shattered by gas wells in residential areas.”

Hoszwa and numerous other residents also said property values would decrease with gas wells near homes.

Lutz said the meetings in which the well pads were approved were open to the public, but no one showed up and voiced opposition to the plans at that time.

He said it is too late for the township to reverse its stance on already approved pads.

“I don’t think (the commissioners) have that ability,” he said. “That would probably be a big lawsuit.”

Lutz said the township will continue to listen to arguments from residents on the issue of drilling.

“We always try to maintain a balance in the township,” he said. “Some people are very favorable to the gas industry.”

Joe Hasychak, president of the commissioners, said the board was aware of the controversy around the drilling.

“We’re aware of the issues out there,” he said. “It’s not news to us.”

Hasychak said he was happy to hear from the public on the matter, but said a better time would have been at the meeting when the pad was approved.

The commissioners took no action on natural gas drilling Monday night.