BUTLER TWP — Marcellus Shale gas wells, especially those planned for the Krendale Golf Course, continue to be a hot topic in the township.

On Monday, the township commissioners created a 7-member advisory board on the topic of wells, and they authorized the township solicitor to prepare amendments to the Natural Gas and Oil Extraction Ordinance to restrict development on residential and commercially zoned properties.

Solicitor Larry Lutz said the proposed amendments, which could include a ban on residential placement of gas wells, cannot be retroactively applied to the Krendale well pad that Rex Energy received approval in September to build.

However, under the state’s Pending Ordinance Doctrine, any well proposal that comes before the board now could be subject to the zoning changes.

“In a way, we are bailing them out if we succeed,” said resident Joseph McMurry, who retained a lawyer on behalf of himself and his citizen’s action group, called Section 27 Alliance. “The only way to stop Krendale now is legal action.”

In addition to objections about drilling, which include the potential for water, air and noise pollution, residents have said they object to the proximity of gas wells at Krendale to homes, businesses and schools.

The pad, which would be accessed from Route 68 near its intersection with Eberhart Road, would be capable of housing up to nine wells.

Commissioners also expressed their concerns about the well pad at the September meeting, but acknowledged in their vote that Rex’s proposal met all of the ordinance requirements.

More than a half dozen people again on Monday spoke about the dangers of drilling in residential areas, and specifically at Krendale. A number of them questioned what, if any, evacuation plan is in place if something goes wrong.

“How many people are going to die if there’s an explosion?” questioned resident Tom Edwards.

And resident Aaron Edwards said he thought commissioners “threw us under the bus on this one ... I think you betrayed us. If you look closely enough, you can see dollar signs in your eyes.”

The commissioners, saying they were put on notice of possible litigation by McMurry, did not respond to the questions. However, they did unanimously approve an idea proposed by Jillian Ramsey Stern to create an advisory board.

According to Stern’s idea, the board will be made up of seven people including herself, township zoning officer Jesse Hines and fire marshal Larry Christy.

The group will research topics related to the oil and gas industry, compile its recommendations and present them to officials. The group also could do community outreach, presenting its findings to residents.

Stern, who said she would serve as the yet unnamed group’s leader, said of her qualifications: “I live here.”

Although it was unclear if the advisory board’s meetings would be open to the public, Lutz said he would take input from the group before presenting proposed ordinance changes to the commissioners.

Township officials said there is no timeline to present possible changes.