Sep. 16--Latrobe council postponed two votes Monday tied to a proposed natural gas research project.

Oklahoma-based McDonald Land Services last month asked the board for right-of-way approval throughout the city on behalf of Texas-based Dawson Geophysical Co. to conduct a project to locate any potential deposits of natural gas, said city Solicitor James Kelley.

Dawson wants to employ three-dimensional, seismic imaging devices in a 42-square mile area encompassing the two-square-mile city and portions of Derry and Unity townships, said city Manager Rick Stadler. McDonald officials told council a section of the Marcellus Shale natural gas formation runs several thousand feet beneath the city, Stadler said.

Kelley advised council on Monday to table the votes on requests by Dawson to conduct the survey in city streets, alleyways and easements and on two unspecified, city-owned parcels of land.

The problem, Kelley said, is Dawson hasn't updated the city on project specifics.

"How long would they be here? Where would their equipment go? The company had no new information for the city's code enforcement office," Kelley said.

The company's research would require placing an unspecified number of sensors, which emit sound waves designed to detect underground gas deposits, Stadler said. The sensors would be connected by hundreds of feet of cable and could pose a safety hazard for pedestrians and motorists, Stadler said.

"From what I understand, these sensors and wiring would be placed in grass areas, along streets, alleys and sidewalks, where people walk. People could trip or drive over them," Stadler said. "We asked whether this project could be done with wireless sensors, and they said they would check and haven't gotten back to us."

Council also voted to update the city's 2009 paving program to include renovations by Export-based Tresco Paving Corp. to a portion of Adams Lane damaged in the June 17 floods.

In other business, city police Chief Chuck Huska said the department received a $4,000 donation from Unity resident John Kuncher to be used to install a camera in one of the department's three cruisers.

"This will help in the collection of footage during traffic stops to be used as evidence in prosecuting various offenders," Huska said.

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