By RICK MILLER
Olean Star
LITTLE VALLEY — Cattaraugus County lawmakers held what may have been their quickest meeting ever on Wednesday.
It looked to be short from the agenda — only four resolutions were presented to legislators last week for committee action.
Legislature Chairman Andrew Burr, R-Gowanda gaveled the meeting to a start with a prayer and Pledge to the Flag at 5 p.m. The gavel banged again at 5:07 to close the legislative session.
The 15 legislators — all Republican — meet in a closed party caucus prior to the meeting where they go through the resolutions, including immediates, and answer questions.
The result is that there are usually no questions from legislators on the floor during the meeting. The title of each resolution is read by the journal clerk and legislators vote aye.
There are generally additional resolutions presented for immediate consideration during legislative meetings on the second and fourth Wednesdays. Sometimes, more resolutions are introduced for immediate consideration, which bypasses committee action.
On Wednesday, seven additional resolutions were presented for immediate consideration.
Two of the resolutions for immediate consideration authorized contracts with the City of Olean. Each provides for the county to pay up to $95,000 to the city to offset the cost of operating the airport. One resolution covers 2025 and the other covers 2026 up to Dec. 31.
Olean Legislators Kelly Andreano, Frank Higgins, Richard Smith and Steve Teachman were sponsors of both resolutions.
The city has approved FAA-authorized projects that include design of a new security gate and automated weather observing system, as well as septic, lighting and parking improvements. The county generally pays for the city’s 5% share of airport projects.
Another resolution created three full-time positions of corrections officers in the Sheriff’s Office as mandated in a Dec. 17, 2025 report from the State Commission of Corrections.
The new positions will allow the jail to safely staff its certified juvenile pod, which is state funded. The county received $222,705 in state aid for the alternate jail unit operation.
OTHER RESOLUTIONS:
- Contracted with People Inc. for interpreter services for the deaf under the Mental Hygiene Law.
- Authorized an amended contract with Willcare Inc. for home care aides to $18.65 an hour.
- Set pay for part-time election technicians at $25 an hour for senior technicians and $21.85 for technicians.
- Contracted with All Shifts Inc., Newark, N.J., for registered nurses for $70.49 to $72.49 per hour.
- Contracted with Utah-based Supplemental Care for registered nurses at $86 an hour, licensed practical nurses at $75 an hour, certified nursing assistants at $43 an hour, physical therapist, $86 an hour and occupational therapist, $80 an hour.
