NORWICH – With today’s economy, it’s getting tougher and tougher for seniors on fixed incomes to come up with enough to pay their property taxes on time.

“I don’t know why they can’t let us pay twice a year like the schools do,” said Mary Swertfager, 89, of East River Road in Norwich. “It would make it easier on all of us, don’t you know.”

On behalf of Chenango County’s seniors and all taxpayers who may be struggling, Town of New Berlin Supervisor Ross Iannello made a referral to the Chenango County Finance Committee last week to study the possibility of a biannual tax collection.

“It would be a benefit to the taxpayers. The City of Norwich and the school do it. Let’s study the pros and cons,” Iannello suggested just prior to the conclusion of the Board of Supervisors’ February meeting.

Chenango County does not collect property taxes, only delinquent and overdue taxes for schools, villages and towns. (The City of Norwich and Norwich City School district handle their own enforcement.)