NORWICH – A referral to refill a Democrat senior clerk position in the Chenango County Board of Elections office was omitted from an original agenda for Wednesday’s meeting of the Personnel Committee.

Committee Chairman Wayne Outwater, R-Licklaen, said he “chose to” take the item off, saying he didn’t think there would be ample time to discuss it. Democratic Commissioner Carol A. Franklin said she had planned on attending the meeting at 9:20 a.m. to request that the position be filled, but found out Tuesday evening that she wouldn’t be on the agenda.

Yesterday’s meeting was held earlier than usual in order to accommodate a budget meeting of the full Board of Supervisors at 10:30 a.m.

During the meeting, Jerry L. Kreiner, R-Plymouth, asked Outwater more than once why the item wasn’t listed on the agenda any longer. He said he didn’t know until that morning that it had been omitted from the agenda. When Outwater responded that there wouldn’t be time, Kreiner pointed out: “Wait a minute. The Sheriff’s here and he’s not on the agenda.” (Chenango County Sheriff Thomas J. Loughren appeared briefly before the committee to receive permission to refill a corrections officer position.)

The senior elections clerk position has been open since Nov. 8. The refill was approved by the Safety & Rules Committee on Nov. 21. Safety & Rules Chairman Alton B. Doyle, R-Guilford, said he found out Tuesday evening that the item would be omitted, but he did not comment as to why.