MAYVILLE – With the new statewide lead rental registry program coming up, Chautauqua County has established a new office in the city of Jamestown.

During the county legislature meeting, lawmakers unanimously approved a five-year lease agreement with the city of Jamestown for the county to rent 668 square feet of office space on the third floor of the City of Jamestown Municipal Building on East Third Street.

The county Health Department will be occupying the space and the cost will be covered by New York state through the Lead Rental Registry Grant Funds.

The rates start at $827 a month and go up to $968 by 2029.

During the Human Services Committee meeting, Director of Environmental Health Jessica Wuerstle said the department will be focusing on looking for lead hazards in the 14701 zip code.

She said the office will mainly be a workplace for the Health Department’s field staff, as well as clerical support. There could be local landlords who will stop in to get information or review updates to their properties.

At the full legislature meeting, Legislator Fred Larson, D-Jamestown, expressed his support, saying offices in the downtown area help the city with foot traffic and local residents have the ability to walk to get services.

In other business:

– The county authorized a new Memorandum of Understanding for Chautauqua Lake. The current MOU is set to expire on April 30, 2025. This new two-year extension will run through 2027. The MOU has a number of principles that lake organizations and municipalities are asked to support, including coordinating lake management, sharing data, permitting the freedom of expressing opinions respectfully, collaboration, and agreeing to avoid litigation against other participants.

– The county reallocated the salary grade for probation assistant, probation officer trainee, probation officer and senior probation officer.

– Pierre Chagnon of Bemus Point, Karen Rine of Jamestown, and William Chandler of Lakewood were reappointed to the South & Center Chautauqua Lake Sewer District.

– Michael Keddie of Silver Creek, Joshua Myers of Fredonia, and James Odien of Dunkirk were appointed to the county Fire Advisory Board.

– Matthew Hanley of Jamestown was reappointed to the county Board of Health.

– Alissa Pekrul of Cherry Creek was appointed to the county Planning Board. Ruby Abersold of Cassadaga, Zachary Dean of Fredonia, and Bethanhy O’Hagan of Jamestown were reappointed.

– Emily Reynolds was appointed to the county Agricultural Farmland Protection Board. Daniel Steward of Kennedy and Adam Rak of Fredonia were reappointed.

– A five-year Capital Improvement Plan for the Jamestown airport and a five-year capital improvement plan for the Dunkirk airport were approved. Legislator Bob Scudder, R-Fredonia, voted against them both.

– The county agreed to extend its agreement with the Chautauqua Lake Central School District, providing regular police presence at the school. Deputies with the Sheriff’s Office provide protection services on an “as-needed basis” for $55 an hour, plus vehicle and administrative costs.