MAYVILLE – For several months, Chautauqua County officials have been hearing complaints from Child Protective Service employees about staffing levels and hours staff are permitted to work. Because of this, a county lawmaker is looking to form a committee to address the issue.

During the legislature meeting, Susan Parker, D-Fredonia, introduced a resolution to form a Human Services Subcommittee to review CPS. She proposed herself, Legislator Marty Proctor, R-Mina, and Legislator Phil Landy, R-Jamestown, serve on the subcommittee.

The goal of the subcommittee is to review the department, and make policy and funding recommendations to the legislature.

During Wednesday’s legislature meeting, Proctor, who is the chair of the Human Services Committee, was not present.

Legislator Terry Niebel, R-Sheridan, said he was uncomfortable forming the subcommittee because of Proctor’s absence.

Parker proposed having the Human Services Committee review her proposed resolution and bring it back next month for final approval. That proposal passed by a 14-1 vote, with Legislator Lisa Vanstrom, R-West Ellicott, voting against it. Vanstrom did not comment before or after the vote.

Multiple times employees from CPS have attended monthly legislature meetings, saying that some employees want to work more than 35 hours a week, but are being denied. They also said there’s high turnover, particularly in the Jamestown office.

In other business:

– The legislature agreed to create an administrative director to oversee the North Chautauqua County Water District, North Chautauqua County Sewer District, the North Chautauqua County Industrial Water District and the North Chautauqua Industrial Sewer District. The salary range for the new position will be $67,272 to $103,302 and will be funded by participants in those water and sewer districts.

– The legislature authorized the lease agreement for the county Office For the Aging to relocate to 1,800 square feet located at 51 E. Third St., Dunkirk. The lease is for 10 years. The cost will be $1,800 a month and will have an annual increase of no more than 1% annually.

– Daniel McCanna of Dewittville was appointed to the county Parks Commission.

– The legislature agreed to buy .08 of a parcel in the town of Chautauqua for $7,500. The land is needed for the construction of Phase 2 South Chautauqua Lake Sewer District.