NORWICH – Lawmakers wasted no time filling the director’s position for the Chenango County Community Services Department with the appointment Monday of a Tioga County deputy director.

The Chenango County Board of Supervisors adopted a resolution hiring Ruth Roberts to the position effective March 1 at a salary of $78,000. The department’s current director, Mary Ann Spryn, is retiring after 21 years.

Community Services is a division of county government that oversees alcohol and drug, mental health and intensive case management services. It has a combined budget in excess of $5 million.

The Health and Human Services Committee interviewed and selected Roberts for the position on Jan. 26. After passing through the Personnel and Finance committees in the consecutive two days, her recommendation landed on the preferred agenda before town supervisors yesterday.

Spryn had made known her intentions to retire in December, however it is not clear when the Community Services Board initially tapped Roberts. Details of the new hire’s experience and background were unavailable at the board meeting, a fact - coupled with the fast-tracked appointment - that prompted Town of Preston Supervisor Peter C. Flanagan to pull the resolution for further information about her.