PROSPECT — Borough council wants to make money from drilling for Marcellus Shale natural gas.

Council members voted Monday night vote to advertise for bids to lease borough property for drilling for natural gas.

Councilman Ed Robinson said council wants to lease the land to help stabilize the borough financially.

The borough is looking to lease four properties: where the borough building is, property adjacent to the borough building, where the borough’s sewage equalization tank is in Moraine State Park and property near the Prospect Volunteer Fire Department.

Ron Coyer, a Slippery Rock attorney knowledgeable about oil and gas leasing, prepared a list of procedures and requirements for companies looking to place bids.

One requirement includes testing water wells of surrounding properties before drilling.

“One of the big concerns was water issues,” Coyer said.

Robinson said council will hear from residents at the Dec. 5 meeting before the bids are opened.