Town of Maine looking to bring natural gas line to hamlet

TOWN OF MAINE, N.Y. — Government officials are requesting money to get a natural-gas line to serve businesses and the elementary school in the hamlet of Maine, in Broome County.

The Town of Maine has asked for a $60,000 county grant to help offset the surcharge each customer on the line would face, according to a release from the county.

Officials presented the project as a way to help local retailers, restaurants and others.

“Bringing natural gas would help these businesses to substantially reduce their heating, cooking and hot water costs,” Town of Maine Councilman Ernest Palmer said in the release. “This savings to our restaurants and small stores will help to retain our current businesses in the hamlet of Maine.”

The hamlet is located in the western part of the town and includes State Route 26.

New York State Electric and Gas (NYSEG) has proposed a natural-gas line extension of about 2.25 miles that would run along Route 26 from Shadowbrook Drive to Maine Memorial Elementary School with a spur to Church Street on to Maple Ave. to Lewis Street and to the end of McGregor Ave.

Broome County Executive Jason Garnar and Town of Maine officials attended a news conference announcing the grant application, the release said, noting the community has been attempting to get a natural-gas line for more than a decade.

 “I have a vision to promote and attract businesses to locate in the hamlet of Maine,” Palmer said. “I feel that this natural gas line would attract more businesses because of the substantial savings toward business overhead costs.”

Contact McChesney at cmcchesney@cnybj.com