Allegany County Board approves new public‑works positions, grant renewals and contracts in Jan. 8 session

ALLEGANY COUNTY — The Allegany County Board of Legislators on Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025, approved a series of resolutions creating four county positions in public works, renewing state grant agreements for public health programs, ratifying vendor contracts and reappointing several advisory‑board members. Most actions passed either by voice vote or by roll call, with 14 legislators voting in favor and one absent where recorded.

The measures matter because they authorize new staffing in the Department of Public Works, allow the county to continue receiving state public‑health grant funding and maintain operational agreements used by county departments, officials said during the brief meeting.

The board approved Resolution Intro. No. 525 to create four full‑time assistant heavy equipment mechanic positions within the Department of Public Works. The motion was made by Legislator Fanton and seconded by Legislator Demick; the roll call showed 14 ayes, 1 absent and the resolution was approved.

The board also approved a series of reappointments and routine personnel actions across committees, including reappointments to the Citizens Advisory Council to the Office for the Aging (Resolution Intro. No. 625), the Allegany County Community Services Board (Resolution Intro. No. 725) and reappointments and ex officio memberships to the Allegany County Planning Board (Resolution Intro. Nos. 825 and 925). Those measures were carried by voice vote after motions from Legislator Burdick and others.

A donation acceptance (Resolution Intro. No. 1025) authorizing the appropriation of funds received from the First Presbyterian Church for the Child Advocacy Center was approved by roll call (14 ayes, 1 absent). The board approved several departmental contracts and agreements brought forward by the Human Services and Health committees, including:

- Resolution Intro. No. 1125: Approval of a preschool service provider and evaluation services agreement between the County of Allegany and Makayla Bowl for the Department of Health preschool program (motion by Legislator Burdick; second by Legislator Rickett Swails). Approved by voice or roll call as noted in the record.

- Resolution Intro. No. 1225: Approval of an agreement with Hover Networks Inc. for a phone system for the Department of Health WIC office, ratifying the county public health director’s signature on the agreement. Approved as presented.

- Resolution Intro. Nos. 1325 and 1425: Renewal agreements with the New York State Department of Health for the comprehensive family planning and reproductive health grant and the early intervention administration grant (grant period number four), authorizing the chairman to execute the agreements. Motion by Legislator Burdick; roll call recorded 14 ayes, 1 absent.

- Resolution Intro. No. 1525: Approval of an agreement with the Cattaraugus County Sheriff’s Office for law enforcement coordination services for the Child Advocacy Center (motion by Legislator Burdick; seconded by Legislator Rickett Swails). Approved by roll call (14 ayes, 1 absent).

The board approved Resolution Intro. No. 1625, an amendment No. 2 to the agreement between the County of Allegany and Pictometry International Corporation for aerial imagery projects for the Office of Planning. Legislator Healy urged colleagues to note the county service’s value to municipalities and nonprofits, saying, "It helps them with their grant applications. It's a very good investment." The motion carried by roll call with 14 ayes, 1 absent.

Board members also approved the county audit totals for the period presented. The clerk’s readout showed general fund totals and line items including general government support of $255,193.12; education $210,230.85; public safety $299,203.60; health $133,601.64; bus transportation $12,152.47; economic assistance and opportunity $1,019,145.01; home and community services $44,270.73; payroll and taxes $1,325,183.85; a capital fund total of $894,270.71; and other funds totaling $1,589,071.98, for a grand total cited of $5,783,843.81. Legislator Hanchett moved to approve the audit; the roll call was 14 ayes, 1 absent.

On procedural and scheduling matters, Legislator Stocken asked whether a public‑works resolution discussed earlier would be considered immediately; staff indicated the item was expected to be considered Jan. 22. The board recessed to seek clarification and to allow time for follow‑up on that scheduling question.

Votes at a glance

- Resolution Intro. No. 525 — Creation of four full‑time assistant heavy equipment mechanic positions, Dept. of Public Works. Mover: Legislator Fanton. Second: Legislator Demick. Outcome: Approved by roll call; 14 ayes, 1 absent.

- Resolution Intro. No. 625 — Reappointments to the Citizens Advisory Council to the Office for the Aging. Mover: Legislator Burdick. Second: Legislator Rickett Swails. Outcome: Approved by voice vote.

- Resolution Intro. No. 725 — Reappointments to the Allegany County Community Services Board. Mover: Legislator Burdick. Outcome: Approved by voice vote.

- Resolution Intro. Nos. 825, 925 — Reappointments and ex officio members to the Planning Board. Mover: Legislator Root. Outcome: Approved by voice vote.

- Resolution Intro. No. 1025 — Acceptance and appropriation of donation funds from First Presbyterian Church for the Child Advocacy Center. Mover: Legislator Burdick. Outcome: Approved by roll call; 14 ayes, 1 absent.

- Resolution Intro. No. 1125 — Preschool service provider and evaluation agreement with Makayla Bowl. Mover: Legislator Burdick. Outcome: Approved (voice/roll call as recorded).

- Resolution Intro. No. 1225 — Agreement with Hover Networks Inc. for WIC phone system; ratification of director’s signature. Outcome: Approved.

- Resolution Intro. Nos. 1325, 1425 — Renewal agreements with New York State Department of Health for family planning/reproductive health and early intervention administration grants (period 4). Mover: Legislator Burdick. Outcome: Approved by roll call; 14 ayes, 1 absent.

- Resolution Intro. No. 1525 — Agreement with Cattaraugus County Sheriff’s Office for Child Advocacy Center law enforcement coordination. Mover: Legislator Burdick. Outcome: Approved by roll call; 14 ayes, 1 absent.

- Resolution Intro. No. 1625 — Amendment No. 2 to agreement with Pictometry International Corporation for aerial imagery projects for the Office of Planning. Mover: Legislator Root. Outcome: Approved by roll call; 14 ayes, 1 absent.

What happened next: The board recessed to confirm the scheduling and any pending public‑works action; members indicated they would reconvene after confirming timing.

(Reporting note: this account relies on the Jan. 8 meeting record and the board’s roll calls and voice votes as recorded.)