NORWICH – The fate of a defibrillator for the Chenango County Office Building rests in the hands of the full Board of Supervisors.

A ruling requested from the county attorney’s office indicated potential liability to the county whether the estimated $2,300 device was on hand or not, and confirmed that insurance premiums would not be affected, either.

Chenango County is not legally required to have a defibrillator in its office building on Court Street because it is within the mandated proximity to an emergency ambulance service. A discussion about obtaining one has been going on and off for years.

Two committees last week approved Public Health Director Marcas Flindt’s request for two devices, one for the nursing office on the building’s first floor and one designated for the West Main Street Office complex being built across the street. The number was slashed, however, in a meeting of the Finance Committee upon opposition by the supervisor from Pharsalia.

“I’m not in favor of this. I can’t believe we are taking taxpayer money and paying for a service that most people can’t afford for themselves. I’d like to have one at my business, too,” said Dennis Brown, D-Pharsalia, and vice-chairman of the committee.

“People tell us we need things like this and we buy it hook, line and sinker. We have an ambulance right over there,” he said pointing to the City of Norwich Fire Department.