NORWICH – Having been tabled in November, an appeal for funding to update the Town of Bainbridge comprehensive plan was again put on hold by the Chenango County Planning and Economic Development Committee last week.

The Town of Bainbridge first sought financial assistance from the county in August, 2014, citing the potential for an up-to-date plan to help rebuild its economic base. In order to do that, the town needs a new roadmap for future development, said Town Supervisor Dolores Nabinger. The comprehensive plan currently referenced by town officials has not been updated since 2003, she said.

But the town is on a tight budget and estimated costs of having the plan updated range from $11,500 to $20,000 over a two year period of time, said Nabinger. The Bainbridge Town Board initially sought between $7,000 and $10,000 from the county to help front those costs.

While committee members agreed that updating the town’s comprehensive plan does align with their purpose to enhance economic development, some argued it is the responsibility of every town to budget for their own comprehensive plan and that it would be unfair to use county funds.

Townships are not required to have a comprehensive plan; however, one must be in place in order to qualify for state and federal funds for economic development. The New York Department of State recommends that municipalities update their plan every three to five years. An outdated plan makes it nearly impossible for a municipality to be awarded state and federal grants for large-scale development projects.