SWANCREEK TOWNSHIP BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Special Meeting Minutes
Monday December 08, 2014
Call to Order 7:00 p.m.
Prayer
Pledge
Board members present: Pamela Moore Chairman, Ron Holdeman Vice Chairman, Rick
Kazmierczak Trustee
Employees: Matt Stout, Maintenance Supervisor
Fiscal Officer: Dawn Wheatley
Absent: Chris Lauch, Administrative Assistant
Guest: See Attached List
Nexus
The Nexus representative contact the Trustees and are going to have 7 representatives from
different divisions at the December 15th meeting the meeting starts at 9:00am but they will not be
there until 10:00am.
They gave some answers to the questions the Trustees posed Trustee Kazmierczak read them.
224-14 Trustee Moore motioned to sign the resolution supporting the Twp. residents and not
supporting the pipeline going through Swancreek Township 2nd by Trustee Holdeman.
Roll Call: Trustee Kazmierczak-Yea, Trustee Holdeman-Yea, Trustee Moore-Yea
SWANCREEK TOWNSHIP, OHIO
RESOLUTION ____ -14
RESOLUTION OPPOSING CONSTRUCTION OF THE PROPOSED
NEXUS AND OTHER INTERNATIONAL HIGH
PRESSURE NATURAL GAS TRANSMISSION PIPELINES
WHEREAS, Spectra Energy Corporation, Enbridge Inc., and DTE Energy propose
to construct a new 42" High Pressure Natural Gas Transmission Pipeline, known as
the "Nexus" Pipeline, running through Swancreek Township, Fulton County,
Ohio to transmit natural gas from the Ohio Utica and Marcellus shale gas
formations to service customers primarily in Canada.
WHEREAS, other similar High Pressure Natural Gas Transmission Pipelines
(Pipelines) proposed to transmit Ohio natural gas through Ohio may be
constructed to pass through Swancreek Township, Ohio in the future.
WHEREAS, such Pipelines pose a serious threat to the general welfare of the
Townshi p residents because of the inherent risks of leaks and ruptures which can
result in explosion, fire, environmental contamination, property damage,
personal injuryand death.
WHEREAS, such Pipelines require additional property tax revenue to pay for
emergency medical and fire training, equipment and personnel required for
evacuations and for emergency response inthe event of explosion, fires or other
accidents.
WHEREAS, such Pipelines will not benefit Township residents with much
needed natural gas supplies and will merely just transfer natural gas through the
Townshi p without providing any utilitarian public benefit.
WHEREAS, such Pipelines diminish the desire to reside near the vicinity of the
Pipeline route which results in the inability to sell real property or in lower
property values and subsequent loss of fees and property tax revenue.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Swancreek Township
Trustees, Ohio, deems that the location of High Pressure Natural Gas Transmission
Pipelines within Swancreek Township are against the interests of the public
health, safety, morals, comfort, and general welfare of said Townshi p and its
residents and stands against the construction of the proposed "NEXUS"
pipelines or any other such Pipelines proposed in the future.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that a copy of this Resolution be filed as
comment before the appropriate officials of Fulton County, Ohio House of
Representatives, United States Congress, the Federal Energy Regulatory
Commission, DTE Energy, Enbridge, Inc. and Spectra Energy Corporation.
Voting Yea thereon:
______________________
Pamela Moore Chairman
______________________
Ron Holdeman Vice Chairman
______________________
Rick Kazmierczak Trustee
Date Adopted:
_____________________
Public Forum
Laura Cole: Concerned with the time of the meeting on the 15th. It is the regular time for the
Township meeting but a lot of people will be at work and won’t be able to attend.
Bob Elling: Asked why the Company is fighting giving us information.
Jeanette Woodriff: Asked if they can give the Trustees questions to ask on their behalf. The
Trustees said yes that they would encourage it.
Sally Wylie: Asked to hear the questions that were asked of Nexus by the Trustees and she also
stated that the meeting is recorded so anyone can come in and ask to listen to the meeting.
Trustee Kazmierczak read the questions and answers.
Swancreek Township Questions
1. How does the proposed pipeline affect property values?
NEXUS wants to assure you that there is no evidence demonstrating that natural gas pipelines
affect property value. FERC, the lead federal agency on the construction of pipelines, researched
this issue and reported the results in a recent Environmental Impact Statement issued in October,
2014 (FERC Docket No. CP13-499-000, pages 4-152 to 4-156).
Additionally, a natural gas pipeline impact study conducted at the request of the Interstate
Natural Gas Association of America Foundation (INGAA Foundation) examined possible price
and non-price impacts to locations along the route of a natural gas pipeline. The study
determined that there is no significant impact on the sales price of properties located along
natural gas pipelines and that pipeline size and product made no difference. It also concluded that
there is no apparent impact on the marketability of properties located along a natural gas
pipeline’s path and that a pipeline did not impede development of the surrounding properties. The
study concluded that the results and conclusions of this study are very likely transferable to
other situations involving natural gas pipelines in other regions of the country.
To view existing pipelines by county, you may visit
https://www.npms.phmsa.dot.gov/GeneralPublic.aspx.
Furthermore, a map of all gas transmission and hazardous liquid pipelines can be found below
and at
https://www.npms.phmsa.dot.gov/Documents/NPMS_Pipelines_Map.pdf.
2. Who makes the homeowner whole if property value decreases?
There is no evidence demonstrating that natural gas pipelines affect property value.
3. Who makes the Township whole for loss in tax values?
There is no evidence demonstrating that natural gas pipelines affect property value. In fact, local
taxes are actually increased as a result of ad valorem taxes.
The project’s total investment is currently estimated in the range of approximately $2 billion,
depending on final market demand and project scope, and will deliver additional local and regional
benefits by creating significant jobs during the construction phase and ongoing tax revenue.
4. What are the benefits to the property owner?
It is estimated that over a 60-year span, the impacted counties can use tax dollars from the project to
pay for local schools and other important programs and services, to offset municipal tax increases,
to continue to fund emergency services and for infrastructure improvement projects – just to name a
few examples. Reinvesting in these programs will have a tangible effect on local communities.
Moreover, The Ohio State University is conducting a study to quantify the direct and indirect
economic benefits to the county. In previous studies conducted in Ohio, counties were projected
to receive hundreds of millions of dollars in additional labor income and overall economic
activity.
5. What are the benefits to the Township?
NEXUS will provide critical access to Appalachian and traditional supplies of gas. The proposed
project will also provide energy consumers in the region with domestic supplies of affordable,
clean burning natural gas to help meet the growing demand for cleaner power generation and
home heating.
This increased access also will provide reliable, cost-effective supplies of natural gas to serve
local distribution companies, industrial users and natural gas-fired power generators in the Ohio,
Michigan, Chicago and Ontario markets.
The project’s total investment is currently estimated in the range of approximately $2 billion,
depending on final market demand and project scope, and will deliver additional local and
regional benefits by creating significant jobs during the construction phase and ongoing tax
revenue.
6. What restrictions will a property owner face if the pipeline is installed near a
residence?
Following pipeline installation, all disturbed areas will be returned as close as possible to the
original contours. Temporary workspace will be allowed to return to its original state. The entire
work area will be restored in compliance with all applicable federal, state and local permits. All
temporary fencing and gates required during construction will be removed. All fences will be
restored as near as practicable to pre-construction condition. Our Right-of-Way Agent will be
available throughout restoration to respond to landowner questions and concerns. After the
landowner and Right-of-Way Agent have reviewed the restoration, we will return to review and
evaluate any follow-up issues or concerns. While NEXUS will maintain the permanent right-of-way
per the Grant of Easement, temporary work areas will revert to the property owner following
construction and restoration.
See also:
http://nexusgastransmission.files.wordpress.com/2014/09/nexus_yourpropertyduringconstructi
on_09-08-2014.pdf
After construction, permanent structures like swimming pools garages and trees cannot be placed in
the right-of-way. A clear right-of-way is necessary to ensure that its operations remain as safe as
possible to protect landowners, the public and the pipeline facilities.
A clear right-of-way provides easy identification and monitoring of pipeline facilities, which is
imperative in preventing third-party damage. Trees and large shrubs obstruct the view for foot
patrols and aerial inspections, which are routine procedures for maintenance. Tree roots also
create a danger to the coating that protects the pipeline from corrosion.
See also:
http://nexusgastransmission.files.wordpress.com/2014/09/nexus_row_101_09-08-2014.pdf
7. What about farming over the pipeline?
Once construction is completed, normal farming practices can resume on the easement.
We restore transmission rights-of-way as quickly and thoroughly as possible so that normal
agricultural use can continue. Follow-up inspections of all disturbed areas are conducted, at a
minimum, after the first and second growing seasons to determine the success of revegetation, and
address landowner concerns.
See also:
https://nexusgastransmission.files.wordpress.com/2014/10/nexus_howwerestoreagricu
lturalareas_10-16-2014-final.pdf
8. Tell me about this type of pipeline and the safety record of similar pipelines. In the
event of a blowout/fire, since the pipeline could be placed near high voltage electrical
transmission lines, could there be a massive disruption to the electrical grid?
Underground interstate transmission pipelines are the safest mode of natural gas transportation and
once the facilities are placed into service, operation procedures will be implemented to
monitor the pipeline 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
The U.S. Department of Transportation oversees the safety of interstate natural gas pipelines and
maintains minimum requirements, from the design and construction to testing, operations,
maintenance and emergency response. The new pipeline will operate in strict accordance with all
state and federal safety requirements.
To ensure our pipelines remain in safe and reliable operating condition, we employ a number of
techniques – from high-tech monitoring at our gas control centers to foot patrols of pipeline
rights-of-way.
See also:
http://nexusgastransmission.files.wordpress.com/2014/09/nexus_operationalsafety_09-082014.pdf
NEXUS Gas Transmission works closely with local, state and federal agencies to ensure our
pipelines meet or exceed regulatory requirements for safety. We also communicate regularly with
members of the public who live or work near our pipelines, and we collaborate with organizations
that share our dedication to pipeline safety and public awareness.
We enjoy long-standing relationships with local and regional emergency response officials, who
we visit regularly to discuss pipeline safety and emergency preparedness issues. Periodically,
company employees and local emergency response personnel come together for emergency drills to
test staff readiness and identify improvement opportunities.
See also:
http://nexusgastransmission.files.wordpress.com/2014/09/nexus_pipelinesafety_publicawaren
ess_09-08-2014.pdf
There was a question brought up that what happens if the pipeline goes through and they cut tiles in
the fields and flood the properties.
Mr. Sutton stated that he has information on the internet at swantonnexus.info
Many residents spoke up with concerns for the wildlife and the natural setting that our Township
has. They are concerned that that will be lost.
Some of the attendees were from Lucas and Wood County and they were stating their concern as
well.
Liz Victor gave the date for the next meeting for their NAN group. It will be Wednesday Dec. 10th
at 7:00pm at 2171 US 20A.
The Trustees asked Dawn to send a copy of the resolution to legal counsel and see if he has any
ideas to help stop the pipeline.
The Trustees thanked everyone for coming They reminded them of the 12-15-14 meeting at 9:00am
with the reps being here at 10:00am and they also said writing there commissioners wouldn’t hurt.
The Trustees took a 3 minute recess. 8:00pm
The Trustees returned from recess at 8:003pm
ADMINISTRATIVE

The Financial Reports were reviewed and the budget discussed.

The Trustees said to figure in a 2% increase for salaries for employees.

Trustee Moore will call Dan Asberry regarding the insurance renewal to see when and
an idea of how much.

Dawn to call Julie at CDA regarding the HRA

All utilities will be paid from the general fund starting 2015

Matt spoke to the Morton Sales rep. which we didn’t know we had until recent and he
said no one in our area got delivery from them. If they did it was because they went in
through the ODOT contract.

Made adjustments according to upcoming projects.

Dawn stated that with the carried over Purchase Orders for OPWC it will look like we
have less of a budget even though the money is there.

The building was discussed need to make sure we plan it correctly to account for
growth.

Dawn will try to have an excel sheet for next meeting showing changes.
CEMETERY

There were 46 trees that were marked as hazardous and 26 of those need totally
removed. Make sure we budget this for 2015
Trustee Moore motioned to adjourn, 2nd by Trustee Holdeman.
Adjournment: 9:31 pm
Swancreek Township Board of Trustees
________________________________
Trustee Pamela Moore, Chairman
____________________________
Attest: Dawn Wheatley
Fiscal Officer Swancreek Township
December 15, 2014
________________________________
Trustee Ron Holdeman, Vice Chairman
________________________________
Trustee Rick Kazmierczak