MAYVILLE — Chautauqua County officials have created a new landfill commission, although some political leaders question whether it’s necessary.

During the recent legislature meeting, county lawmakers voted 12-5 in favor of a local law to establish the Chautauqua County Landfill Commission.

Before the vote, Aaron Gustafson, deputy director of Public Facilities responsible for the Division of Solid Waste, said there are questions that should be answered. “What is the reason for the proposed commission? What issues would this commission resolve that could not be solved with the existing legislature, committees, and the resolution process that is currently in place?” he said.

During the Public Facilities Committee meeting the week prior, members said the commission’s role would be to advocate and advise, and also to generate better communication between legislators and the division of solid waste.

Gustafson said while they welcome better communication, he isn’t sure it’s going to make a difference. “We do not feel that the added level of government – the commission – will solve any more issues than the current process that are already in place, especially concerning the private interests that are proposed to be a part of the commission,” he said.

The commission is scheduled to be made up of two county legislators, one Ellery town board member because that’s where the landfill is located, a large municipal customer, a large private customer, a waste hauler, and a representative of a community hosting a county transfer station.

Gustafson continued to question the private members. “We fail to see how private business members would help foster better communication between our division and this legislative body. In fact it seems it most certainly would create an environment for conflicts of interest,” he said.

Even though the commission has no legal authority, Gustafson was still concerned. “We all must remember, every voice has influence and influence is power,” he said.

During the debate among county lawmakers, Legislator Susan Parker, D-Fredonia, questioned the need of the commission. “County government already has effective ways to monitor the landfill. The DEC (Department of Environmental Conservation) closely monitors the landfill operations, inspections, detailed reports and all environmental issues. The budget director, Ms. (Kathleen) Dennison issues reports about the finances of the landfill monthly. The Public Facilities Committee meets monthly and any landfill issues can be and are reported and discussed there,” she said.

Parker also proposed some amendments to the local law. The first amendment would have prohibited reviewing and/or recommending the landfill be privatized. The second amendment would have removed the large private customer and the waste hauler from the commission. She also wanted the commission members to be prohibited if they are a family member of an elected county official or of a county department head. Both amendments failed.

Legislator Elisabeth Rankin, R-Jamestown, questioned the role of the commission as well. “I know we talked about it (commission) being more advocacy but I have a hard time believing that at some point, there wouldn’t be oversight and influence,” she said.

She also, expressed concerns that the commission would add unnecessary burdens. “We have channels of communication already in place and I think an additional layer of time and effort, and potential bureaucracy, potential conflict of interest, could be a waste of time,” she said.

Voting against the local law were legislators Parker, Rankin, Bob Bankoski, D-Dunkirk, Bob Scudder, R-Fredonia and Billy Torres, D-Jamestown.