NORWICH – Road maintenance in Chenango County is about a month behind due to the late New York State budget.

Governor David Paterson and the state’s Legislature are on the same page when it comes to the amount appropriated for Consolidated Highway Improvement Programs. It’s only a matter of passing the budget, or at least making local lawmakers feel confident that the funds will be available.

Normally work crews in the county and in the towns would have initiated projects under the anticipation of being reimbursed by the state, but not this year, according to Chenango County Public Works Director Randy Gibbon.

“This is the first year we’ve had to do this. Before, we had a good enough feeling that we’ve gone ahead and done the work,” he said.

Collections from sales taxes, property taxes and highway fares have fallen off with the state and nation’s economic slump, making it uncertain how much the state can bond for the CHIP’s money.