County lawmakers name Brian McClellan new full-time county historian

By RICK MILLER

Olean Star

LITTLE VALLEY — Longtime Cattaraugus County Museum Curator Brian McClellan has been appointed county historian.

McClellan will succeed recently retired historian Sharon Fellows, who was first appointed 20 years ago.

County lawmakers voted Wednesday to abolish the part-time positions of county museum curator and county historian and to create a full-time position of county historian.

Legislators then appointed McClellan as full-time county historian, effective Sept. 1. McClellan was first appointed museum curator in February 2007.

The Cattaraugus County Historical Museum and Research Center is located in the Stone House on Route 16 in Machias. McClellan is in charge of county-owned historical artifacts and extensive genealogical records. 

As curator, McClellan oversaw special exhibits to the museum including the Randolph Mammoth (twice) and new video programming like “Our Veterans — Their Stories,” which is on the museum’s YouTube channel.

Legislators also voted to set a public hearing for Aug. 26 on a proposed local law to transfer the control, administration and operation of the museum to the Department of Economic Development, Planning and Tourism.

In another appointment, county lawmakers named former Assemblyman Joseph Giglio of Gowanda to the vacancy on the Industrial Development Board caused by the resignation of Joseph Higgins of Olean, a longtime IDA member.

Giglio served as assemblyman in the 148th District from 2025-2004. 

A Buffalo native, he worked for the Cattaraugus County Sheriff’s Office and in the state Inspector General’s Office before succeeding Cathy Young in the Assembly.

Legislators also authorized an application for state funding of up to $275,000 to update its Comprehensive Plan, including a housing plan. 

The Department of State’s Office of Planning, Development and Community Infrastructure provides grants of up to 90% of the cost to develop or update comprehensive plans, area plans or zoning ordinances that incorporate smart growth principles. 

The resolution states that “planning efforts should include issues such as appropriate physical development, economic development, transportation patterns, analyses of the natural and built environment, and population trends, while setting a course for the siting of renewable energy facilities, efficient use of land, protection of agricultural working lands and watersheds and overall healthy communities.”

Legislators also approved a $384,300 bid from Louden Building Co., Springville, to replace electric service for the Onoville Marina dock system, and rejected bids for composite dock decking. That will be rebid.