Neighbors file lawsuit challenging pipeline OK

By Terrie Morgan-Besecker tmorgan@timesleader.comLaw & Order Reporter

DALLAS TWP. – Several homeowners in the Goodleigh Manor development have filed a lawsuit against a neighbor they allege improperly gave permission for the construction of a natural gas pipeline beneath their properties.

Robert Schaub, attorney for Jeff Dickson, Bill Watkins and Scott Watkins, said his clients are challenging the legality of neighbor Tuula D’Anca’s granting of a right of way to Chief Gathering LLC.

Chief Gathering, a subsidiary of Chief Oil and Gas, plans to build a pipeline that will carry natural gas that will be extracted from wells in Susquehanna County to the large Transco distribution pipeline, connecting at a point near the Dallas School District campus in the township. Chief Gathering is not named as a defendant in the suit.

Schaub said Dickson and the Watkinses purchased two lots that were subdivided from property owned by D’Anca. Unbeknownst to his clients, D’Anca sold the right of way to install the gas pipeline beneath her property, as well as theirs.

Schaub said his clients object to the construction of the pipeline based on safety and health concerns and because they believe it will negatively affect the value of their properties.

“After spending the kind of money they did to buy the land and build a house, they don’t want commercial activity going through their property,” Schaub said.

Schaub said he believes D’Anca has violated a covenant that all owners in Goodleigh Manor, an upscale housing development located off Upper Demunds Road, must abide by. That covenant precludes any commercial activity.

“The whole parcel is subject to the covenant. If you try to do something, you must seek the approval of all other property owners,” he said.

Schaub instituted the suit in April in Luzerne County Court by filing a writ of summons – a legal document that notifies a person of a pending suit, but does not contain specific allegations. Schaub said he is continuing to gather information for the filing of the complaint.

Brian Stahl, attorney for D’Anca, said he could not comment on the case because no complaint has been filed detailing the claims that are being made.