Rumor that Nestlé will pony up 1 penny per gallon of water extracted - is the health safety and welfare of the residents of Eldred Township for sale?

This reporter has heard the same rumor from multiple sources today that there is a late-breaking offer of Nestle to pay Eldred Township $.01 per gallon of water extracted from the proposed site in Kunkletown.

Let's think about this.  At 200,000 gallons a day, that is $2000.  This reporter observed months ago that Nestle's offer of "up to $750,000" for a community fund was a pittance, and an order of magnitude below a serious offer.  Furthermore, it isn't an offer of $750,000, it is an offer of a fund up to $750,000.

Next, to get $2000, Nestle would have to operate from 6am to 11pm 7 days a week.  Not 9am to 2pm as the planning commission recommended.  Let's assume the residents are tossed under the 40 ton Nestle trucks - $2000 a day is $730,000 a year.  Over 10 years, that is $7,300,000 - close to what this reporter recommended would have been a serious bribe.  Up to $750,000 was a total joke from day 1 - perhaps Nestle read my post from months ago and decided to sweeten the pot.

There may be a halfway serious offer rumored to be on the table, but does it matter?

1. Does the fact that Nestle might fork over a penny a gallon alter the fact that their application was found to suck ass by the township engineer, and make it any less likely that their application will be denied?  No - the ZHB is bound by duty to make a decision within the bounds of the zoning ordinance.
2. Have you gotten over the low ball "up to" $750,000 community find offer?  I haven't.  It was quite offensive.  Eldred Township wasn't treated in good faith from the outset.  Country bumpkins?  I think not.
3. Are your natural resources and clean drinking water for sale?  Mine aren't.
4. Is there any criteria in the Zoning Ordinance under special exceptions to allow for monetary tariffs to offset impacts on property values and quality of life?  No.
5. Would such a tariff even offset a property owner's loss of value?  Absolutely not, in any manner.  The check would go to the township, not property owners.  You're screwed, penny a gallon or not.  Ask the guy whose house is worth 60% of what it was one year ago if he gives a rat's ass what the township gets for his loss.
6. My property is in Zone 2, and I understand I'll have to pay over $1000 just for a zoning hearing to get a permit if this project proceeds.  Will this new bribe be used to cover my application fee?  Not bloody likely.
7. Will my water not smell of sulfer or become cloudy because the town is paid $.01 per gallon?  If I flap my arms really fast, will I fly?
8. If the rumor is true, would it change anything about the proceedings of the zoning hearing application for a permit, or the court appeal to overturn the amendment that permitted this application?  No.
9. The zoning hearing board is a quasi-judicial body, similar in some respects to a court of law - can it be bought off?  Not legally.
10. Does this rumor change anything?  No.  Many people, CJERP and the Monroe County Planning Commission still have to answer for all the errors that were made in passage of the amendment.  The special exception application will be denied.  The court appeal will be won.  Same outcome.

Nestle could offer $.50 a gallon, and personally I would tell them to go pee in their hats - my town's character and resources aren't for sale.  $1 per gallon?  Now you've got my attention, but you can still urinate in your head covering.


The only rumor that is worth attention at this point is a rumor that Nestle will pack up and get the hell out of town.  This corporate giant is unlikely to do that.