County commissioners are holding off on approving the sale of multiple parcels of property in the Woodlands neighborhood.
The board voted to table the vote that would have signed off on the sale of six pieces of land in Connoquenessing Township for $600 each.
Residents of the Woodlands have reported discolored water for nearly ten years—a non-profit effort, Water For Woodlands, has helped supply residents with bottled water during that time.
“I have had constituent phone calls on a number of occasions, on a various issues, and it seems like we’re stuck,” Commissioner Leslie Osche explained.
“So, all [the commissioners] were doing was trying to look at it from this level, when the property gets put on the repository. That’s where my question is ‘Are we doing our due diligence?’”
Osche also said that commissioners aren’t trying to interfere in the process, but want to make sure the buyers know what they’re getting.
“We’re in no way trying to stand in the way of the purchase of a piece of property, that’s not our intent. I think the county solicitor needs time to go back and look at that.”
The commissioners explained at their meeting Wednesday, that the Woodlands neighborhood was a former campground area. When the original owners sold the land, it was divided into smaller parcels.
Some residents and advocacy groups say the water issues are tied to the advent of the natural gas boom in the area, when gas wells were installed in the area.
Osche said ultimately, it’s the commissioners goal to work with all parties to develop a long-term plan for the neighborhood.
“I think the solicitor is going to come back next week and approve these sales, but that doesn’t mean we’re not going to have conversations about solutions moving forward,” Osche said. “I’m just not sure what those solutions are right now.”
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