SWANNANOA — In response to a petition drive calling for Swannanoa to be incorporated as a town, a group of incorporation opponents has begun circulating its own petition opposing the plan.

The Swannanoa Truth Committee has begun collecting signatures at four area businesses, hoping to present the petitions to the state General Assembly, which will decide whether or not to allow Swannanoa to incorporate.

The Incorporation Task Force of the Swannanoa Pride Community Coalition has successfully collected enough signatures — roughly 1,500 — to apply to for incorporation. That well exceeds 15 percent of Swannanoa’s 6,000 registered voters, which is the minimum number required to get the question brought before the assembly.

Meanwhile, incorporation advocates have been working on meeting other state goals, including drafting bylaws for a proposed government structure and discussing contracting for services such as police and street maintenance.

While supporters of incorporation say they desire the additional services and ability to control growth that it would bring, opponents argue that incorporation will bring higher taxes and more regulations.

Opponents say they hope to have 600 signatures to present to the General Assembly next month. Local lawmakers could introduce an incorporation bill for Swannanoa this year, but are more likely to do so in 2009.

Those who wish to sign the petition opposing Swannanoa’s incorporation can do so at Swannanoa Flower Shop, Gene Lummus Harley-Davidson, Berry’s Garden Center, or the U.S. 70 Trim Shop.