NORWICH – An uncharacteristically lengthy discussion of natural gas issues capped February’s meeting of the Chenango County Board of Supervisors this week.

A discussion of compulsory integration restrictions, hydrofraking pollution, municipal roadway ordinances and forming a consensus on the county’s position on drilling ensued for 25 minutes and drew comments from eight of the county’s 23 supervisors.

The exchange followed board business that included the adoption of 25 resolutions, a Commerce Chenango budget presentation and committee appointments. It was one of the longest monthly meetings held in the recent past.

The subject of natural gas exploration and drilling, whether it be into lucrative shale formations, such as the Marcellus and Utica, or immediately promising Herkimer or Vernon sandstone strata, has consumed not just Chenango County and the Southern Tier, but all of New York State. It is currently pitting upstate farmers desperate for income versus city dwellers who fear the byproduct of drilling could pollute their upstate drinking water supplies.

Supervisor Ross Iannello kicked off the discussion about local exploration and drilling by asking for immediate board support in leasing county-owned land at Preston Manor. The land is being integrated into a Norse Energy, Inc. spacing unit at an adjacent well site. Iannello and other supervisors who make up the county’s Natural Gas Committee have been pushing the board to take advantage of an opportunity to profit.