NORWICH – At least four members of the City of Norwich plan to attend a natural gas symposium tomorrow sponsored by the New York State Conference of Mayors.

Mayor Joseph Maiurano said he would be attending “to confirm that safety precautions are in place” for potential natural gas drilling on city-owned land, for selling water from its reservoir and for treating wastewater from the many wells planned for the region.

Two natural gas companies have asked to purchase water from the city’s reservoir on state Rt. 23 as well as to lease city-owned land for drilling. City taxpayers own property on Tanner Hill surrounding the reservoir, 300 acres by the wastewater treatment plant on state Rt. 12 and 250 acres on West Hill.

“Whether we want to use any of the land for drilling is another question,” the mayor said. “But, we are in the water business. We can sell water. We have the capacity to supply and can produce more water than we have supplied. Our goal is to sell as much water as we can.”

The day-long symposium is intended to bring together a group of speakers who will help municipal leaders understand and address the myriad issues and concerns they face with respect to the Marcellus Shale natural gas exploration in the area.