But it did not identify, endorse or lend support to any specific site.

A provision in the resolution that offers the governor the council's assistance in analyzing potential sites was a sticking point for Norwich City Manager Richard Podurgiel, who cast one of the two dissenting votes.

Podurgiel argued that no action was necessary by the regional group.

"I don't think the COG should rush to judgment," Podurgiel said in the council's executive committee meeting. "We are building a consensus for a location and we will get that consensus in a timely fashion. I need you to give Norwich a little more time."

Ledyard Mayor Wes Johnson cast the other dissenting vote. He said Wednesday's vote contradicted previous council actions that supported putting the school at the former Norwich Hospital property in Preston -- a position he maintains is the best solution.

The Three Rivers Community College consolidation issue resurfaced last week after the Norwich City Council voted 4-2 to object to the state's plan to consolidate at the school's Mohegan campus on Mahan Drive. A majority the council now endorses consolidation at the school's Thames Valley campus along New London Turnpike.

Podurgiel termed Wednesday's vote a threat to the city's efforts to retain the school because of COG's regional importance, but conceded that "threat" only becomes real if the governor accepts COG's offer of assistance.

Gov. John G. Rowland's press secretary Michelle Sullivan said the governor "certainly appreciates" the COG's offer of assistance and would take it under consideration. She said no decision has been made regarding the school.

"Currently, we are reassessing all options in regard to the site," she said after Wednesday's vote.

The adopted resolution was a compromise version of two proposals. COG Chairman Paul Eccard of Waterford proposed a resolution giving Norwich 30 or 60 days to reach a consensus before assembling a list of potential sites within the region.

"I don't think we want to put a timeline on it," said New London City Manager Richard Brown. "I wouldn't want to have to try and negotiate with a gun at my head."

Preston First Selectman Robert Congdon and East Lyme First Selectman Wayne Fraiser offered an alternative that would have COG begin assembling the list of potential sites now but delay forwarding the list to the governor or college board of trustees until asked for the help. The compromise leaves the decision about COG's involvement up to the governor.