LOWVILLE — While upset they weren't consulted about Lewis County's recent Empire Zone coordinator change, members of the county's Empire Zone Administration Board on Friday formally accepted the county's authority in the matter.

Whether the move was necessary or simply symbolic was open for interpretation.

ZAB members voted 14-0 to accept the county as the local zone administrative entity, but not before expressing their concerns to county officials in attendance.

At the suggestion of Gary L. Williams, Harrisville, the board decided to utilize a temporary chairman — rather than county-appointed Chairman Warren S. Rosenthal, the county's economic development director — while discussing their concerns.

Mr. Williams was then appointed temporary chairman, and he quickly reiterated his stance — also mentioned at this month's regular legislators meeting — that legislators in April should not have hired Camoin Associates Inc., Saratoga Springs, to administer the county Empire Zone program "without anybody on this board being consulted."

While noting that he's heard good things about Camoin from other places that utilize them for zone oversight, Mr. Williams said the unilateral move — which he learned of through a newspaper article — served to "disenfranchise part of the team."

He also suggested that according to state general municipal law, the ZAB is supposed to select a zone administrative entity but had never so designated the county.

County Attorney Richard J. Graham disagreed with Mr. Williams' legal assessment.

The county already serves as administrative entity by contracting with the state to operate the local zone and appointing ZAB members, Mr. Graham said.

"You don't select the county," he said. "The county selects you."

Regardless, other ZAB members suggested that the main problem was that, unlike in the past, county legislators didn't ask for their input when considering how to coordinate the local zone.

"If there's been any wrongdoing, we apologize," said Legislator Richard C. Lucas, R-Barnes Corners, chairman of the legislative Economic Development Committee.

Mr. Lucas said his committee decided to hire Camoin because of its experience with other Empire Zones and because it would likely be cheaper than hiring and training a new coordinator.

"I think we're all adults," he added. "I would say, let's work together."

The county's Empire Zone was administered by Business Development Director Jacqueline S. Longton until late February, when she resigned to work as a planner for the city of Watertown.

During Friday's meeting, representatives from Camoin also introduced themselves and discussed the state of the Empire Zone program.