NORWICH – The Chenango County Planning and Economic Development Committee heard a report on natural gas activities last week and gave direction on matters involving the county’s airport, Commerce Chenango and an organization offering summer employment to youths.

Chenango County Natural Gas Consultant Steven Palmatier said Norse Energy, the company that has been actively drilling in the area for the past two years, currently employs 13 people based in its offices at the Eaton Center in Norwich. Of those, 10 were residents of the region, he said. Two other companies related to the natural gas industry have recently located to Norwich from Texas and, together, employ 35 people.

“All three of these companies lease commercial space in the City of Norwich, which adds to the vibrancy of our community. It is my hope that more companies related to the industry choose to make Chenango County their home,” he said.

An ag-related business that would require large quantities of natural gas to operate is considering a move to the area, Palmatier said, and several sites are being considered as possible locations.

The county’s consultant also pointed to jobs that have been created for local contractors and to new business traffic at restaurants, hotels and retail establishments from the new residents and subcontractors to the industry.

In an effort to spur fuel sales at Lt. Warren E. Eaton Airport, the committee ageed to use interest from the airport’s trust fund to purchase a credit card reader for just under $20,000. The machine would enable pilots to fuel up around the clock and keep track of and bill separately fuel that is purchased by businesses that currently rent t-hanger space.

Members of the committee also directed Clerk of the Board and Self Insurance Administrator RC Woodford to determine how much coverage is required to authorize a maintenance worker at the facility to fuel and move customer’s planes. Currently, pilots must fuel up themselves, and often decide to land elsewhere because of it.

“We need to get going on this, on making money at the airport,” said Bainbridge Supervisor Delores Nabinger upon seconding Otselic Supervisor David Messineo’s motion to purchase the credit card reader.

The committee also directed Acting Airport Administrator Donald MacIntosh to provide a detailed, monthly financial report of airport developments, revenue generating activities, safety inspections, departures and arrivals, fuel sales and policies and procedures. The committee held a special work session on May 28 to outline MacIntosh’s responsibilities since he was appointed acting administrator in May.

MacIntosh has been part-time administrator at the airport since last year when the county’s fixed base operator chose not to renew its contract. He officially retired from that post last month, but, after lengthy executive sessions during which he and other potential candidates for the job were discussed, he was immediately reappointed acting administrator.