NORWICH – County lawmakers Monday urged New York Governor David Paterson and state legislators to restore highway funding as one of the first resolutions adopted for the new year.

The Governor’s proposed 2009-2010 level of Consolidated Highway Improvement Program funding represents a 35 percent reduction, or nearly $1.5 million, to local municipalities in Chenango County. The funding is necessary to maintain a safe and efficient transportation system, the resolution stated, and, without it, could create “a catastrophic impact” to local budgets and infrastructure programs.

Columbus Supervisor George G. Coates encouraged his fellow supervisors to call or write to state legislators to restore CHIPs funding to 2008-2009 levels. He said he had called often himself, but thus far received little encouragement.