OXFORD – Work sessions of the Oxford Village Planning Board this week will feature speakers representing opposing sides of the natural gas drilling debate.

The meetings come after the village board requested in July that the planning board make a recommendation on drilling, said Chairperson Anna Stark. New York Gov. Cuomo has indicated that local land use regulations will be considered in the process of issuing horizontal, hydraulic fracturing permits, something that is widely anticipated in the coming weeks.

Attorney Robert H. Wedlake of the Binghamton-based law firm, Hinman, Howard and Katell, will address the group on Wednesday, and independent Attorney David Slottje will speak on Thursday. Stark said Slottje would advocate for a moratorium on drilling, something he has done in numerous townships including Plymouth and Sidney.