CANTON — St. Lawrence County legislators at a committee meeting Monday appointed Joseph Gilbert as emergency services director at a salary of $60,000, starting Tuesday.

Mr. Gilbert, Ogdensburg, replaces Martin J. Hassett. Mr. Gilbert’s salary is higher than Mr. Hassett’s, but Mr. Gilbert, who is retired military and a defense coordinator at Fort Drum, will not receive county health benefits.

“Mr. Gilbert came highly recommended,” said Legislator Daniel F. Parker, R-Potsdam, who headed the search committee.

Legislative Chairwoman Sallie A. Brothers, D-Norfolk, abstained as one of her relatives was in the running for the job.

Legislator Frederick S. Morrill, D-DeKalb Junction, voted against Mr. Gilbert’s appointment because his salary is over what was budgeted. Mr. Morrill said he also objected to Mr. Gilbert’s tea party political partisanship on Facebook when applying for the job.

“I believe this person has demonstrated some poor judgment in the recent past,” Mr. Morrill said.

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