NORWICH – A newly formed group by the name of the Chenango Community Forum gathered for its first session in the community room of the Guernsey Memorial Library Wednesday night, taking on the first of many controversial issues the group plans to discuss: Local government consolidation and shared services.

The community forum, arranged by a small group of county residents as a place for civil conversation regarding controversial topics, opened to all community members with the expectation that people can agree to disagree on hot-button issues that impact the area.

City of Oneonta Mayor Richard Miller attended as a guest speaker for the evening. Like numerous municipalities statewide, Oneonta is burdened with financial challenges imposed by increasing state regulations, decreasing state financial aid and a two percent tax levy, which forces city and town officials and residents to seriously discuss the potential of consolidating services between the City of Oneonta and the Township of Oneonta.

While some argue that consolidation is an unnecessary measure to stabilize local governments, those who attended the forum – including numerous Norwich city officials – voiced a degree of support for consolidation efforts. Miller addressed the benefits of consolidation and the barriers that keep officials from moving forward in the process.

Among the barriers, he said, is a fear of property tax increases, a loss of traditional values between two consolidating governments, and different service expectations between city and township residents.

“The barriers to having that conversation are unbelievable. When strongly held views stand in the way of collaboration, it’s a shame,” said Miller. “There are different service expectations than what we have in the city,” he explained, noting an increased pressure from state officials for local governments to share services.