NORWICH – It was two long overdue wins Tuesday for Chenango County Supervisor Peter C. Flanagan.

At a meeting of the county board yesterday, the Preston supervisor finally persuaded his fellow lawmakers to raise landfill tipping fees by 25 cents a bag and $3 a ton – something for which he has unsuccessfully lobbied since 2004 – and to stall a proposal for 2 percent annual raises next year for non-unioned employees.

Flanagan has received more and more bi-partisan support on both efforts over the past couple of sessions, and only narrowly missed freezing salaries for supervisors after a weighted vote count last year at this time.

The annual discussion about 2012 pay increases isn’t finished, however. Yesterday’s debate included a lengthy executive session to discuss specific employees on the compensation schedule and a failed motion from Supervisor Richard Schlag, also a Democrat, to amend the raises to 1.5 percent. Schlag was successful last year in this very same effort, saying the debate only serves to “politicize” and “publicize” supervisors’ salaries.

Flanagan reiterated during the discussion that his intent was not to penalize the rank and file employees, but to lead from the top.

“... show a sacrifice whether it’s a token one or not,” he said.

The resolution to provide for 2 percent wage increases failed by only one vote. Schlag’s amendment failed by only three votes. The measure goes back to the Personnel Committee and will be brought before the board again in November.

New Berlin’s Ross Iannello, who is politically unaffiliated, supported Schlag’s motion. He said 2 and even 1.5 percent raises aren’t commensurate with the 4 and 4.5 percent increases Civil Service Employees Association employees have received of late.

“We can show ourselves being forthright, but you have to change the increases on the contracts. You can’t have people earning more than their directors,” he said.