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.