NORWICH – Chenango County planners hope to assess the recent impact that power line fears have had on land prices and are counting on local realtors to provide some data.

The proposed New York Regional Interconnection power line would erect 115-foot tall towers spaced along 44 miles of the county and permanently alter its many scenic vistas. A Town of Guilford resident attending an Aug. 8 meeting of the Chenango County Planning Board suggested that every realtor in the county be asked “to come forth, to testify about how land values and taxes will change.”

“If every realtor in the county is not incensed that a deal for land in picturesque Guilford is negated because of ruination of land and views, then there is something with the realtors,” said Earl Callahan.

Planning board member and Norwich realtor Bruce Beadle said he and other realtors have written letters and been active in opposing NYRI since its plans were announced in April.