NORWICH – Although permitting to build the 124-mile long Constitution Pipeline hasn’t yet been finalized, Chenango County leaders took what they called an act of prudence on Monday by adopting a road use agreement that will protect local roads should the project reach construction.

The Chenango County Board of Supervisors largely favored the agreement which eliminates taxpayer liability for damage that may be caused by heavy construction vehicles on a two-mile stretch of County Road 39.

Most board members insist that the agreement is merely a precautionary measure put in place to protect taxpayers’ interests, not an additional bump of support for project.

Only Columbus Town Supervisor Tom Grace contested the document, stating that the county simply hasn’t discussed the pros and cons of the pipeline enough to pass any additional measure in connection to it.

“I’m aware that the project has its benefits. I’m not opposed to it, just to be clear,” Grace said in a failed motion to table the road use agreement. “I just don’t know enough about [the project] to support it or oppose it at this point ... I would ask that we hear both sides on this before we authorize anything associated with it.”

But board members already unanimously passed a resolution supporting development of the Constitution Pipeline in December, and another similar resolution in 2014. Proponents cited the beneficial economic impact it would have locally as the pipeline route passes through the Chenango County towns of Afton and Bainbridge.