MAYVILLE — Chautauqua County is moving ahead with forming its landfill commission.

During the recent legislature meeting, county lawmakers voted 17-1 to appoint the following to the commission: Legislator John Davis, R-Frewsburg; Legislator Dan Pavlock, R-Sinclairville; Mark Schlemmer of Bemus Point, representing the town of Ellery; and James Van Volkenburg of Sherman, representing a community hosting transfer station the commission.

There are still four open spots on the commission, which may be filled during the Nov. 16 meeting.

Legislator Susan Parker, D-Fredonia, voted against the resolution.

“I continue to oppose the landfill commission and now the appointment of members,” she said. “Since the outset, there has not been an explanation of the actual need for the creation of this committee. We still have a number of questions: What is it charged with doing? What kind of help is it expected to provide? And how it will work with the Public Facilities Committee and the landfill?

“We don’t know what these new commissioners are expected to do. We don’t know why we need to have this commission separate and apart from our Public Facilities Committee. And we don’t know how much this separate commission will cost or what ever it is they might do.”

While she was the only legislator to vote against the commission, two others questioned its need.

Legislator Bob Bankoski, D-Dunkirk, said he doesn’t support the commission’s formation, but added, “It doesn’t matter because it’s going to move forward, and I do support the appointees put forth.”

Legislator Elisabeth Rankin, R-Jamestown, agreed.

“I was not in favor of the landfill commission, but since it is to be, we can hope we can have the best people possible on the commission and I have the utmost trust and respect to the people who have been nominated to this commission,” she said.

In other business:

¯ The legislature agreed to transfer a property at 184 N. Portage St. to the village of Westfield so the village can tear down the former gas station on Route 394.

¯ Daniel Heitzenrater of Frewsburg was appointed to the Chautauqua County Industrial Development Agency Board of Directors. He is also the chief executive officer and president of the county Chamber of Commerce.

¯ Vince Horrigan of Bemus Point was appointed to the position of Chautauqua County director for the Western Regional Off-Track Betting Corporation.