CHENANGO COUNTY – Lawmakers Tuesday tentatively approved the highest bidder for an upcoming timber sale on 10 acres of county-owned property on Ingraham Road in the Town of Preston.

The woodlot’s highest bidder, Baillie Lumber Company of Smyrna, bid $33,578. Similar bids were received from five other lumber companies.

Members of the Chenango County Agriculture, Buildings and Grounds Committee agreed to pass the resolution onto the full board of supervisors for consideration in March.

Consultant Forester Bill Betts of Earlville said he expected to return to the committee next month with bids on 223 acres of county-owned property on Upper Ravine Road in the Town of Norwich. He recommended that a commercial thinning on portions of the land would release more valuable hardwoods to grow there in the future. Woodlot bids could be in the $20,000 range, Betts said.