NORWICH – Town of Norwich Supervisor David C. Law said Governor Spitzer’s budget proposal would affect spending in a variety of areas for all Chenango County towns, villages, and the city, especially the Consolidated Highway Improvement Program, commonly called CHIPs funding.

The governor’s proposal calls for a reduction of 4.32 percent from last year’s budget in CHIPs funding. According to Law, the money is helpful for higher end items that aid the town’s work crews on the road.

“The road programs help boost our highway programs. It helps to keep costs down and helps to reduce the impact on our taxpayers,” said Law. Last year, the town used the funding to purchase a new gradall. “The money has to be spent on something that is expected to carry a lifespan of five to 10 years,” said Law. “It really does help.”

Towns could also lose $3.5 million from the Marchiselli Program, another highway improvement program. The Marchiselli Program is financed by federal funds with a requirement for the state and local governments to share the cost of approved projects.