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Human Services Committee approves reappointments, grant applications, leases and opioid settlement participation
Summary
Chautauqua County Human Services Committee voted to confirm two board reappointments, authorize a CDBG septic and wells grant application, approve participation in national opioid settlements, and authorize multiple lease agreements and grant acceptances.
The Chautauqua County Human Services Committee on an August 2025 meeting approved a slate of administrative and program actions including two reappointments to the Chautauqua Opportunities, authorization to apply for Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds for septic and well repairs, participation in national opioid settlements, several lease agreements for mental hygiene offices, acceptance of an additional caregiver respite grant, continuation of the New York Connects application process and renewal of a regional emergency public health agreement.
The votes formalized routine reappointments and operational steps county departments said are needed to continue services. Committee members asked questions about program details, timelines and budget impacts before approving each item.
Committee Chair (unnamed) opened the meeting, and the committee approved the minutes before moving through the agenda. Dave Feldman of the county executive’s office presented two reappointments to the Chautauqua Opportunities board; Jessica Wersley, director of environmental health, described the CDBG septic and wells grant application; Anna Morgan, county attorney, explained two resolutions to authorize the county to participate in nationwide opioid settlements; Carmelo Hernandez, commissioner of mental hygiene and social services, described two lease actions to consolidate and continue office space; Dana Corwin, director of the Office for Aging Services, sought a one-day lease for the 2026 Senior Expo at SUNY Fredonia; an additional $5,000 respite grant was accepted for caregiver services; Office for Aging and Department of Social Services were authorized to submit New York Connects applications annually; and Lucy Wilson, public health director, presented a renewal of a Western New York regional emergency assistance and training agreement.
Votes at a glance
- Resolution to confirm two reappointments to the Chautauqua Opportunities Board of Directors — carried (motion and second recorded; voice vote: all in favor). - Resolution to authorize application for 2025 CDBG septic and wells funding through the New York State Office of Community Renewal — carried (voice vote: all in favor). - Resolution authorizing participation in an opioid settlement with Sandoz Inc. — carried (voice vote: all in favor). - Resolution authorizing participation in opioid-related settlements with a group of smaller manufacturers (Elvigen Inc., Amneal Pharmaceuticals Inc., Apotex Inc., Hikma Pharmaceuticals USA Inc., Indivir Inc., Mylan Pharmaceuticals Inc., Sun Pharmaceuticals Industries Inc., Zydus Pharmaceuticals USA Inc.) — carried (voice vote: all in favor). - Resolution authorizing a lease agreement with the Town of Chautauqua for office space for the Department of Mental Hygiene — carried (voice vote: all in favor). - Resolution authorizing a lease agreement with the City of Jamestown for consolidated office space for the Department of Mental Hygiene and Social Services — carried (voice vote: all in favor). - Resolution authorizing a one-day lease with SUNY Fredonia for the 2026 Senior Expo (CHQ Aging Expo and Conference) — carried (voice vote: all in favor). - Resolution accepting a $5,000 extension award to the caregiver respite program (Alzheimer’s/caregiver support initiative) — carried (voice vote: all in favor). - Resolution authorizing submission of annual New York Connects funding applications by the Office for Aging Services and Department of Social Services — carried (voice vote: all in favor). - Resolution authorizing agreements with governmental entities for emergency assistance, facilities and training (Western New York regional agreement) — carried (voice vote: all in favor).
Committee members asked clarifying questions about the CDBG application process and the public hearing required by the state, the size and terms of the Jamestown lease and whether consolidation would reduce overall footprint and costs, how opioid settlement funds would be allocated and whether individuals could expect direct payments, and whether the regional emergency agreement applies only to public health responses or could extend to other county disaster responses. Staff said some details (for example, exact settlement distribution formulas and final award dates for the exhale grant) were not yet known and would be determined later.
Looking ahead, County staff said the full legislature will hold a required public hearing for the CDBG application, legal will clarify the scope of the regional emergency agreement if necessary, and county attorneys and the county executive will finalize participation documents for the opioid settlement process before the September 30 participation deadline.
