The pending opening of two substations for the Cayuga County Sheriff's Office is a positive step, and we urge the county Legislature to give its approval.

Sheriff David Gould put the substations high on his list of priorities when he took over the office this year.

Gould estimates about $50,000 a year will be saved on gasoline and vehicle maintenance when deputies can be scheduled to start their day at outposts in Moravia and Cato, rather than reporting to the main sheriff's office in Sennett at the beginning of every shift and then driving to the northern and southern parts of the county.

The northern substation will be in the village of Cato's municipal building and the southern station at the Moravia Village Justice Center.

The Moravia station is ready to go, pending the approval of the Legislature. The Cato office is on hold while plans are finalized to expand the building there.

In addition to the monetary concerns, the substations should aid in day-to-day police work, as well, with deputies having more direct contact with other law enforcement agencies.

In Moravia, sheriff's deputies will share space with the Moravia Village Police Department, and state troopers work out of the same building.

Deputies working in Cato may have a lot more contact with the state police, too, as the state is also considering a substation there.

With the unusual layout of Cayuga County - more than 50 miles long and, at its narrowest, about 10 miles wide - it makes sense to have some sheriff's deputies beginning their shifts at regional offices rather than in Sennett.

Deputies will be more accessible to the public and be able to respond more quickly to calls when the substations are finalized.

The county Legislature should give its OK to the Moravia plan at its June 26 meeting and move the Cato plan along as soon as it comes up for a vote.