OXFORD ­– Around 120 concerned citizens, both for and against the enactment of a nine-month moratorium on hydraulic fracturing, poured into Oxford’s American Legion Tuesday night for a public hearing hosted by the village board.

Citizens were given the opportunity to voice concerns regarding the village’s fracking measure. The proposed ordinance was recently reviewed by the Chenango County Planning Board, which approved it with concerns. Before opening the floor to the public, Village Mayor Terry Stark addressed the county’s concerns and stated he fully intends to respond to them within the next five to six days.

It was also announced that, due to the absence of board member Dale Leach, the board would not make a decision last night. Instead, Stark said the village would make use of the 60-day grace period after the public hearing to make its final decision. The meeting was taped for Leach to review and Stark said he’d make the board’s decision process as transparent as possible, making every effort to inform the public when the final vote will be on the agenda, with the earliest possible date being the board’s next meeting on Nov. 27.

Thirteen people addressed the board last night – five spoke in opposition and eight spoke in support of the moratorium.