In essentially a 180-degree turnabout, the Town of Cobleskill will hold a meeting Monday on...hydrofracking.
Opponents of the controversial natural gas extraction process are already worried that the venue-the Town Court on Mineral Springs Road-won't be large enough for the expected crowd.
But they were appreciative Monday of Supervisor Tom Murray's willingness to finally address the issue.
Mr. Murray appeared to surprise councilmen when he told a crowd of about 50 people-more than half of them Center for Sustainable Rural Communities (formerly Schoharie Valley watch) members holding up "Moratorium" signs-about the special 6:30pm meeting he'd set for Monday the 21st.
Initially, he said it would be just for those opposing fracking.
"We need to make sure our zoning is strong enough," Mr. Murray said.
Though he's previously balked at addressing the fracking issue, Mr. Murray said his idea for Monday's meeting came out of talks with the Planning Board.
Councilman Ryan McAllister cautioned Mr. Murray against limiting the meeting to just one "side" of the fracking debate.
"I want to make sure everyone is welcome," he said.
Even Ithaca-based attorney David Slottje.
Mr. Murray and councilmen have refused to invite the executive director and senior attorney at the Community Environmental Defense to Cobleskill, even though he offers his services for free.
Tom Wadsworth, a member of CEDC, asked if Mr. Slottje was invited to the meeting.
"Everyone is invited," answered Mr. McAllister.