NORWICH – Public-private sector partnership is alive and well in Chenango County with this week’s news of two collaborative projects meant to further upgrade and beautify the county’s seat.

Its most visible and venerable feature, the 1837 Chenango County Courthouse in West Park - which already sports a fresh coat of paint - may soon be topped with a fresh coat of gold. On Wednesday, a government committee approved a bid proposal of $185,000 to $200,000 to regild the dome, make necessary repairs and paint the roof, chimney and elaborate enclosed cupola.

Upon learning from Board Chairman Lawrence Wilcox that NBT Bank, The Greater Norwich Foundation and others foundations were interested in partnering with the county to afford the project, members of the Agriculture, Buildings and Grounds Committee swiftly stamped their approval. City of Norwich Supervisor Robert Jeffrey made the motion to proceed; Supervisor John Lawrence of Afton seconded it. The proposal moves forward to the Chenango County Board of Supervisors for final consideration next month.

The dome project has been on the back burner for several years, primarily due to the cost of 24 karat gold leaf paint and scaffolding needed to reach it. The dome was gilded 25 years ago, but it is now peeled and chipped.

“Let’s do it right. Thirty years ago our board was going to tear the courthouse down! Look at it, it’s served us well all these years. It would behoove us to try to do it right for the people who pushed hard to keep it,” said Preston Supervisor Peter C. Flanagan.