By JIMMY LAWTON

CANTON -- St. Lawrence County legislators approved filling three recently vacant positions at a recent board meeting.

The board agreed to fill an assistant public defender, sheriff's deputy and heavy equipment operator position.

The board agreed to fill an assistant public defender position after an Aug. 30 resignation and relocation. According to the resolution, the Office of the Public Defender typical maintains five assistant public defenders, as it requires a minimum of six attorneys "to function appropriately under state and federal law."

The board gave St. Lawrence County Sheriff Kevin Wells the green light to fill a vacant deputy's position as well.

The job was left vacant following a resignation on July 17.

According to the resolution, the department may hire an entry-level deputy with a starting salary of $39,336.

The board also approved filling a position at the St. Lawrence County Solid Waste Department. The board approved hiring a heavy equipment operator. According to the resolution the vacancy would impact the department's ability to provide quality customer service.

The St. Lawrence County Board of Legislators passed a resolution in 2008 freezing all non-essential hires at the county level.