ADAMS TWP — A newly formed pro-drilling group told supervisors Monday night that it would broker a deal with Marcellus Shale drillers to take gas from the township’s park.

During the public comment session of the supervisors’ meeting, resident John Watson said he and several other landowners in the township are forming a group, including those who have a lease with a shale gas driller.

Watson said the group would talk to gas drillers about drilling at the park and then present a proposal to the supervisors.

He said if a deal was accepted by the supervisors, the board would decide whether to allow surface or horizontal drilling at the park.

Watson said if a driller offered the township $3,000 per acre as an up-front payment, the township could stand to earn $420,000 for its 140 acres.

Watson said if the township waits, the amount offered by drillers could be reduced.

“This is the time to do it,” Watson said.

Supervisors Chairman Donald Aiken said Watson could present such a proposal to the supervisors if he wishes.

Watson also denounced the group of Mars parents who have fought against the wells proposed for the Bob and Kim Geyer property on Denny Road because the parents say a well within a mile of the Mars schools would be a hazard to students.

He said as the former Mars School Board president, Kim Geyer has cared about and benefited students. He said when the school board raised taxes, the Geyers were among the hardest hit as the owners of a large property.

“What the Geyers have been through, to me, is appalling,” Watson said.

He said he is glad that the supervisors looked at both sides of the issue and are not “bending to the minority of the mob.”

Watson said shale gas drilling operations are short lived compared to the construction of a housing plan, which can take 10 years to fully construct.

He said a shale gas well prevents a property from becoming a housing development, which protects the rural character of the township.

“I’d rather see three gas wells between here and the school than 700 homes,” Watson said.

Kim Geyer also spoke at the meeting and told supervisors she is aware of the effort to reduce the board from five members to three.

“As a lifelong citizen of Adams Township and Mars, It saddens me,” Geyer said.

She thanked the supervisors for their work since the resistance to placing a well at her property began in March.

“Thank you for your service,” Geyer said. “I know you’re citizens here trying to do the right thing and what’s in the best interest of the township.”