"I've already had some discussion with the governor's office," said Cook, whose district includes Preston. "I don't think it's going to be too difficult a job of convincing the (Community Colleges Board of) Trustees to go with the plan to move the school to the hospital site."

Cook is not alone in getting back into the siting debate, renewed Monday when City Council voted to oppose the consolidation of Three Rivers' two campuses at the Mohegan campus on Norwich's Mahan Drive, Gov. John G. Rowland's preferred site.

State Rep. Jack Malone, D-Norwich, termed Cook's move "opportunistic" and said he already had requested a meeting with Community College Chancellor Marc S. Herzog and the trustees.

"This is an important issue for this community," said Malone, who has supported a downtown location in the past. "I think it's selfish of those who suggest that it's my way or it goes elsewhere."

Prior to last year's decision to consolidate at the Mohegan campus, the southeastern Connecticut legislative delegation likewise was sharply divided, with a majority favoring the Preston site.

And it's not just the former hospital site that again is being proposed as possible alternatives.

"I can't understand why isn't the Thames Valley campus on New London Turnpike being considered," said state Sen. Edith Prague, D-Columbia, although she added, "If it were not for what Norwich would lose, the hospital site would be a wonderful setting for the college."

If Thames Valley could be entered from Route 32, she said, "there wouldn't be the issue of traffic ... and the college would stay in the city."

Malone renewed his support for a downtown site: "The chancellor came before the Legislature this year and said for a few million more they could build a new school in downtown New Haven. If it's good enough for New Haven, why can't they do it here in this community?"

Legislators all agreed the council's resolution has opened the door for debate and, by doing so, could extend what already has been a five-year delay.

"I think everyone involved has that concern," said state Rep. Melissa Olson, D-Norwich, "but I'm not sure that is likely to happen. I think what we need to do is stay focused on the facts. The college is an asset to Norwich and we need to work hard to keep it in the city."

While Malone characterized the council action as "courageous," state Rep. Robert Congdon, R-Preston, who also serves as first selectman here, termed it "a risky move," but one that council members were well aware they were taking.

"Several things could happen," he said, "and none of them are good for Norwich."

One potential outcome of the council action could result in the state choosing not to proceed with the consolidation, transferring the $75 million earmarked for the project to community college projects elsewhere in the state.

"That wouldn't be good for the students or the school," Congdon said. "The second thing that could happen is that (the college) goes somewhere else."

In all the debate, Congdon said, the focus -- educating students -- has been lost.

"This isn't about what Preston wants or what Norwich wants," he said. "This should be about what's best for the students and the school. If Ledyard or Montville stepped forward with possible sites, I'd say good, here's two more sites that should be considered."