NORWICH – The decision whether to hire a consultant to market Chenango County to natural gas-related industries has been postponed for another month.

The Chenango County Board of Supervisors, after meeting in executive session last week, referred the matter back to the Planning and Economic Development Committee, requesting further job clarification for the position.

“We knew that piece was missing, but had decided to get the concept sold and then catch up on all of the particulars,” said Chairperson Linda E. Natoli, R-City of Norwich.

Supervisor Natoli’s committee met on Tuesday to define the duties and scope of the position. The county’s planning director then sent a proposed contract to the county attorney’s office on Wednesday.

Natoli said she expected a resolution would be offered before the full board again in September.

A potential perceived possible conflict of interest in hiring the consultant, who is an entrepreneur and a well owner in Preston, came up in discussion at the board meeting on Monday and again in committee on Tuesday. Natoli said her committee “laid it right out there in the beginning” that the candidate, Steven Palmatier, had leased his land to Norse Energy, Inc. to drill a well.