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Residents press council over service‑department staffing, firing of longtime employee
Summary
Public commenters criticized the mayor and council over the recent separation of a city employee, the interim contract hire for service director duties, remote work and permit responsiveness. Speakers urged more transparency in hiring and for council to review applications and conduct interviews before approving a permanent hire.
A sustained public-comment period at the Cortland City Council meeting focused on personnel and operations in the city’s service department, including the recent separation of a long-serving employee, Michael Smith, and the council’s use of an interim, part‑time contract service director, identified in the meeting as Sean.
Michael Matheny, a resident who identified himself from 352 Old Oak Drive, criticized the decision to eliminate an assistant service‑director position and asked why Michael Smith had not been reassigned when another employee was returned to the service department. Matheny questioned the city’s hiring process and urged the council to review applicants and conduct interviews: "We have a ton of resumes," he said, adding that the council should not allow staffing decisions to be made without council review.
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