Town of Sanford Sued Over Banned Public Comment

2/12/2013 (Updated 7:21:04 PM)

A pair of groups are suing the Town of Sanford over it's ban of public comment on fracking at town board meetings.

The Natural Resources Defense Council and Catskill Citizens for Safe Energy are bringing the suit.

In September 2012 the town placed a gag order on its residents, stating that they could no longer discuss fracking at town board meetings, although written comments could be submitted.

Sanford residents complained to Catskill Citizens about losing their first amendment right to free speech, an attorney bringing the suit says it's not just about those who oppose natural gas extraction.

Sinding, "One resident said to us, 'Look. Wherever you come down on fracking - I don't know if fracking is right or fracking's wrong but I do know that restricting my ability to talk about it is wrong. That's what they're concerned about."

When we spoke to Sinding, she had not yet heard from the Sanford Town Board regarding the lawsuit. Our attempts to reach the town supervisor were unsuccessful.