At a recent meeting on the proposed update for the Town of Callicoon Comprehensive Plan, resident Alvin Shoop agreed with the plan committee that the survey regarding gas drilling taken in 2010 was vague and not a good way to measure support for hydraulic fracturing among town residents.

He suggested that the town move forward with a new survey comprised of just one question: “Are you in favor of gas extraction by means of hydraulic fracturing in the Town of Callicoon?” The possible answers would be “yes,” “no” or “not sure.”

Shoop and his wife, Raizi, are moving ahead with the survey and are planning to pay the $2,800 cost with contributions from the public.

The River Reporter and the Sullivan County Democrat have said that they will jointly open the envelopes of the survey and tally up the results.

Shoop hopes to have the results back before the town board votes on the proposed update to the comprehensive plan, which currently supports drilling in the town.

Supervisor Tom Bose said if he was presented with a survey, he would certainly be willing to comment on it.

He said, as for the Town’s Comprehensive Plan update, once the committee presents it to the town board for review, which they have not done yet, the board must hold a public hearing within 90 days, and must submit the plan to the county for review.

After that, the board may then vote whether to adopt the plan as received or send it back to the committee.

Checks to pay for the survey can be made out to Raizi Shoop and sent to Al and Raizi Shoop, Box 94, 150 Bethlehem Rd., Callicoon Center, NY 12724.