NORWICH - The number of homes sold in Chenango County dropped 34.1 percent over the last year, according to statistics from the New York State Association of Realtors. Sales decreased 10.3 percent nationwide and 13.6 percent in the state, comparatively.

The figures were based on sale comparisons between May 2006 and May 2007.

Norwich Realtor Bruce Beadle blamed a stagnant business community for the real estate market’s slow pace. “People aren’t going to go out and upgrade or buy new when they are insecure about what their future employment situation is,” he told members of the Chenango County Planning Committee July 10. Last month’s pending sale announcements of OSG Norwich Pharmaceuticals and P&G Pharmaceuticals haven’t made the area’s business climate any brighter, he said.

“I think that municipalities around here ought to consider giving not just tax abatements, but just forgoing real estate taxes entirely for someone who might be willing to bring 100 to 200 jobs into the area. We need the jobs and the people who have those jobs pay taxes,” he said.

Beadle also pointed to high property taxes and utility costs and an outdated infrastructure. Making state Route 12 a four lane highway should be the first priority of legislators in not only Chenango, but also in Oneida, Madison, Broome and Herkimer counties, he said.