We would hope Chautauqua County Health and Human Services officials aren’t surprised by Falconer residents’ complaints about use of the Budget Inn for county-backed emergency housing.

More than five years ago, Falconer officials raised issues about issues at the Budget Inn on Main Street that were driving an increase in police and EMS calls to the property. The issue was raised again at at Falconer Village Board meetings in April and August 2020 by Gary Visosky, owner of the Bellview East Restaurant, who said the clientele at the Budget Inn was hurting his business.

We bring up that history to say Chautauqua County DSS officials and some legislators should be aware of the issues Falconer officials raised during Wednesday’s Chautauqua County Legislature meeting, Falconer Mayor James Jaroszynski said there have been 146 Ellicott Police Department responses to the hotel since Jan. 1 as well as 35 fire and rescue calls. Business owners say those being sent to the hotel are creating situations that make them feel unsafe.

It’s been long enough. It’s time for something to be done that balances the county’s need for emergency housing with the Falconer residents’ concerns over increasing emergency responses to the property and concerns that people feel unsafe walking around the village.

We admit this is a tough question. Not only do the needs of those who require emergency housing to be considered, but the right of a private business owner to receive a county contract. At the same time the village has a right to be concerned about the number of emergency responses in the village — particularly EMS falls when they’re handled by volunteers and has to take seriously the concerns raised by residents and business owners.

We don’t pretend to have a perfect location for a needed service. But Falconer officials raise issues that should be addressed, and county officials should work with the village to begin addressing them.

A half-decade of waiting is long enough.