By RICK MILLER
Olean Star
LITTLE VALLEY — A Cattaraugus County snowplow driver credited with saving a life while on the job earlier this month was honored by county lawmakers Wednesday.
Adam Chudy of Westons Mills was presented a commendation for his actions by Cattaraugus County Legislature Chairman Andrew Burr for helping a man escape his burning home in the town of New Albion on Feb. 11.
Chudy, who is also a member of the Westons Mills Fire Department Kinney Hose Co., noticed flames coming out of the roof of a residence on New Albion Road and stopped the plow to call 911.
He then discovered a man was still inside the residence and knocked on the door. After speaking with the man and confirming that no one else was inside the house, Chudy helped the man out of the house to safety.
Burr called Chudy’s actions heroic and thanked him for his life-saving action.
Several members of Kinney Hose Co., attended the meeting to see Chudy receive the commendation.
Chudy is not only a firefighter, he is also the Health and Safety Chair for Local 805 and the general representative and trainer for the Department of Public Works’ General Bargaining Unit.
During the regular meeting, legislators were unanimous in voting to appoint Michael Prinino as commissioner of the Public Works Department.
He succeeds Kathleen Ellis, who recently retired. Prinino, has been serving as interim DPW commissioner.
Prinino was named deputy commissioner in 2020. He previously worked at Lowe’s corporate offices in North Carolina.
Donald Benson of the Public Works Committee said Prinino has done a good job and deserved to be appointed commissioner. The appointment is for a four-year term.
James E. Adsit was reappointed to a four-year term as director of the Buildings and Grounds Department.
Legislators set a public hearing for March 11 at 5 p.m. on a proposed local law establishing the Cattaraugus County Animal Abuser Registry and repealing Local Law 4 from 2024.
One of the sponsors, Legislature Vice Chairman Ginger Schroder, R-Farmersville, said the new local law closes some of the “loopholes” of the current law, including appealing a conviction in town court for example.
People convicted of animal cruelty have come up with “more creative ways to get around the law,” Schroder told the Olean Star. The new law “will save taxpayers money and save animals.”
Schroder also joined Legislator Brenda Hanson, R-Delevan, in sponsoring a resolution commending the EPA’s rescission of an Endangerment Finding related to six greenhouse gases including carbon dioxide “may be reasonably anticipated to endanger public health and welfare.”
