Melanie Lekocevic reports in The Daily Mail the Town of Athens has officially declared itself an “interested party” in the proposed takeover of utility company Central Hudson by Canadian-based Fortis, Inc., in an effort to encourage the prospective new company owner to bring natural gas to the town and village. The takeover transaction, approved by Central Hudson stockholders and the Federal Regulatory Commission, is still awaiting a sign-off by the Public Service Commission in order to take effect. Deputy Town Supervisor Gene Hatton recently offered the Athens Village Board an update on the town’s efforts. He noted, although an active natural gas main exists along the railroad tracks by the Schoharie Turnpike, extending the line through the town and village will be determined by convincing Fortis enough property owners are interested in switching over to natural gas to make it viable for the company to put in the infrastructure. Read the full story in The Daily Mail.