Address:
355 West Main Street, Suite 409
Malone, NY 12953
Phone: 518-481-1640
Description:
The Franklin County Legislature is the governing body of the county, exercising a wide variety of administrative and legislative responsibilities that include establishing County policies, reviewing the administration of government, appropriating funding, levying taxes, reviewing and adopting the annual budget and enacting resolutions and local laws. These responsibilities are defined in the New York State Constitution and the Laws of the State of New York.
The current seven-member structure of the Board of Legislators has been in force since 1970. Previously, the County was governed by a nineteen-member Board of Supervisors and each one represented one of the County's nineteen towns. Today, these 19 towns are divided into seven districts of equal population, which allows each legislator to represent the same number of county residents and in some districts, across multiple municipalities. Every ten years, a reapportionment is developed to establish the seven districts and is based on the U.S. Census.
Every January, the Board of Legislators re-organizes to elect a chairman, vice-chairman, majority and minority leaders, and determine committee structures. The chairman, a position of considerable responsibility, appoints the chairman and members of each Standing Committee. He also serves as an ex-officio member on each Committee. The chairman's role is to preside over all meetings of the Legislature and represent the county and Legislature in various capacities.
The County Legislature meets on the first and third Thursday of each month in the Legislative Chambers at the Franklin County Court House. The Call to Order is at 11:30 a.m. Prior to the Call to Order, meetings of the Standing Committees are held. The public is welcome to attend both Regular Meetings and Standing Committee meetings.
Committees
Administrative
Members are Legislators Lindy Ellis (Chair), Paul Lauzon and Greg Janisewski. The committee oversees eight departments/issues:
- County Clerk
- Board of Elections
- County Manager
- Negotiations & Grievance
- Personnel
- County Attorney
- County Coroners
- Data Processing
Finance
Members are Legislators Greg Janisewski (Chair), Justus Martin and Nedd Sparks. The committee oversees five departments/issues:
- Budget
- County Treasurer
- County Auditor
- Insurance
- Real Property
- Land Bank
Economic Development
Members are Legislators Justus Martin (Chair), Lindy Ellis and Andrea Dumas. The committee oversees eight departments/issues:
- Tourism
- Planning & Policy Development
- Grants
- Education
- Conservation
- Industrial Development Agency
- Soil & Water
- Cooperative Extension
Human Resources
Members are Legislators Nedd Sparks (Chair), Lindy Ellis and Andea Dumas. The committee oversees six departments:
- Public Health
- Office for the Aging
- Social Services
- Community Services
- Youth Bureau
- Veterans Services
Public Safety
Members are Legislators Andrea Dumas (Chair), Justus Martin and Paul Lauzon. The committee oversees eight departments:
- District Attorney
- Probation
- Public, Conflict and Alternative Conflict Defender
- Sheriff & Jail
- Emergency Services
- STOP DWI
- Traffic Safety
- Assigned Counsel
Public Works & Services
Members are Legislators Paul Lauzon (Chair), Greg Janisewski and Nedd Sparks. The committee oversees seven departments/issues:
- Buildings & Grounds
- Highway
- Solid Waste
- Weights & Measures
- Library & Museum
- Public Transportation
- Snowmobilers
Officials:
Chairman
Edward Lockwood
District 4
edward.lockwood@franklincountyny.gov
Phone: 518-481-1642
Vice Chairperson
Andrea Dumas
District 3
andrea.dumas@franklincountyny.gov
Phone: 518-524-9514
Majority Leader
Andrea Dumas
District 3
andrea.dumas@franklincountyny.gov
Phone: 518-524-9514
Minority Leader
Paul Lauzon
District 1
paul.lauzon@franklincountyny.gov
Phone: 518-358-2396
Gregory Janisewski
District 2
gregory.janisewski@franklincountyny.gov
Phone: 518-497-3240
Justus Martin
District 5
justus.martin@franklincountyny.gov
Phone: 518-521-9072
Nedd Sparks
District 6
nedd.sparks@franklincountyny.gov
Phone: 518-524-2925
Melinda "Lindy" Ellis
District 7
melinda.ellis@franklincountyny.gov
Phone: 518-354-3103