NORWICH – Town of Greene Supervisor Jack Cook argued hard yesterday to save his town about $50,000 in 2009 property taxes, but was outvoted by his fellow members of the Chenango County Finance Committee.

At issue was an adjustment proposed by the county’s tax department, and authorized by the New York State Department of Conservation, that would revoke a previously imposed penalty in the amount. The penalty was for noncompliance with a forestry program that provides an exemption to property owners for managing their woodlots.

The Finance Committee went into executive session to discuss the individual, so few of the details were revealed. Chenango County First Assistant Attorney Leonard W. Smith was invited to sit in on the proceedings.

Chenango County Treasurer William E. Evans said the individual, who owns 230 acres in Greene, repeatedly protested the penalty with his office and the county’s Real Property Tax Services office once notified of the penalty last May. Evans said he coordinated a meeting this winter between the DEC, the individual, Smith, RPTS Director Steve Harris and himself. Also invited was Chenango County Natural Gas Committee Chairman Peter C. Flanagan.

“We called Pete in because there may be penalties like this that occur in the future because of land leased for natural gas drilling and gathering lines,” Evans said.