A decade after it last met, the committee to study the Route 7 corridor in Cobleskill and Richmondville is at work again.
The Corridor Planning Team (CPT) gathered in the fall and formalized last month, hoping to find common ground on such issues as zoning, water and sewer services, sidewalks and planning.
A similar committee last delivered a joint plan in 2002, but efforts stopped shortly afterwards.
Schoharie County Planner Shane Nickle, who worked on the first committee, resurrected the idea after an expert in pedestrian-friendly communities spoke in Cobleskill last March.
The plan for a new committee was well-received by the towns and villages of Cobleskill and Richmondville, each of which has two voting members on the CPT.
SUNY Cobleskill and the state Department of Transportation are also involved.
"I'm pleased," Mr. Nickle said. "We're talking about consistent planning for the two communities.
"People might say, 'Oh, no, another study.' But if the municipalities cooperate, we'll get somewhere."
The effort may lead to such projects as joining the two villages' water and sewer systems and producing common zoning for the two communities.
Cobleskill Mayor Mark Galasso gave an example, pointing to the large numbers of pedestrians and bike-riders along Route 7.
His business, Lancaster Development, is near Cobleskill-Richmondville High School, and Mr. Galasso sees the danger of students and others walking along the state route.
Mr. Galasso's suggestion is for the CPT to eventually promote a sidewalk project.
But there's more, he said.
"We're very interested in combining water and sewer services and getting a consolidated master plan and zoning," Mayor Galasso said.
"It would be a huge benefit to everyone east and west."
Richmondville Mayor Kevin Neary agreed.
"We're hoping an effort that's cooperative, collaborative and comprehensive--the three Cs--will address issues in the corridor," he said.
"It just makes sense for both communities."
He followed that theme by pointing out the two communities share a school district and offer similar services.
"But we need to work together," Mayor Neary said. "If we don't have the infrastructure, we'll never see development."
Coming up with projects for sidewalks and water and sewer lines is one thing. Finding money to actually do the work is another.
The state has little money for projects, but grants may be available from Washington, Mr. Nickle said.
Also, if the CPT develops plans for projects, those plans will be in place when--and if--Albany is willing to act.
Before the group develops project plans, however, members will inventory resources, including water and sewer capacity, utilities, buildings and more.
Joining the two mayors on the committee are Jonathan Dicesare from the Village of Cobleskill; Supervisor Dick Lape and Bob Nied of Schoharie Valley Watch from the Town of Richmondville; and Supervisor Tom Murray and Terry Keller from the Town of Cobleskill.
Councilman Ryan McAllister is an alternate for Mr. Murray. The Village of Richmondville still needs to appoint another member.
"It's a very diverse group, a lot of different opinions," Mr. Nickle said. "That's good. That's a good way to approach things."
The CPT is planning its next meeting for late March.