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As expected, the Lycoming County commissioners Thursday passed a county ordinance that makes it mandatory for natural gas drilling sites to have an address registered with the county 911 Center.

County officials proposed the ordinance after it became apparent that gas drilling crews typically are from out-of-state and would have difficulty telling a 911 dispatcher where to send emergency responders.

"This (ordinance) will provided an added level of safety to workers on well sites," Kurt Hausammann Jr., director of county Department of Planning and Community Development, said. "(The county 911 Center) will be able to dispatch emergency services in an accurate manner."

Before the ordinance was passed, gas drillers working in the county opted to take 911 addresses on a voluntary basis, according to Craig Konkle, county Department of Public Safety operations and training supervisor.

"The industry has really stepped up to the plate," Konkle said recently. "They have done everything they've been asked to do as far as 911 addressing."

In other business, the commissioners approved:

An application for a $125,000 for the YWCA's emergency shelter program.

An application to the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency to fund the county's Intermediate Punishment Program over the next three years. According the county Prison warden Kevin DeParlos, the commission provides the county with slightly more than $103,000 a year.

The payment of an invoice to UGI to extend natural gas pipes along Warrensville Road to the pre-release center at the Lysock View Complex. According to county maintenance director Jeff Tompkins, the extension will allow the facility to transition of fuel oil to natural gas.

An agreement with Jackson Township to collect the township's county and municipal taxes. The township is the 12th county municipality to have its taxes collected by the county, according to county Fiscal Services director Robert Noll.

The commissioners also recognized Montoursville Area High School girls' soccer team for winning the District IV state championship.

According to William Kelly, deputy director of the county Department of Planning and Community Development, the team is the first girls team in any sport to win a state championship for the school.

Montoursville Mayor John Dorin was on hand for the meeting. Dorin said the team worked extremely hard to win the title.

Dorin said the team often practiced at 6:30 a.m. before it was light outside.