By JIMMY LAWTON

CANTON -- Kevin Acres, R-Madrid, was reinstated as chairman of the St. Board of Legislators by a unanimous vote Tuesday at the organizational meeting.

Acres represents district 8 and served as the county chairman in 2017 as well after Republican John Burke decided not to seek the position.

He said the board has functioned well over the past three years and has managed not to increase taxes during that period.

Acres thanked his fellow legislators for their confidence in him and said he looked forward to working toward goals of rebuilding the county’s fund balance so it does not have to continue to borrow for cash flow.

Acres credited staff and his fellow legislators on recent reforms to the workman’s compensation formula, which has provided significant savings and said the county is currently working on health care reforms that could save the county millions.

Acres told the legislators they should also be proud of the development of the J&L Site. The county acquired the J&L property in 2013 under a “liability release” agreement, which frees it from liability for environmental contamination there.

The county began tearing down buildings there last fall with an eye towards redevelopment.

Joseph Lightfoot, R-Oswegatchie, was also unanimously reappointed to the vice chairman position at the meeting.