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Mayor volunteers as interim emergency management coordinator; council approves
Summary
Faced with state expectations and extensive training requirements for an OEM coordinator, Mayor Hutnick volunteered to serve on a voluntary, non-salary interim basis and the council voted unanimously to approve the appointment while searching for a permanent candidate or shared-service option.
Ogdensburg’s council approved Mayor George P. Hutnick to serve as interim Municipal Emergency Management (OEM) Coordinator on a voluntary, non-paid basis after the borough failed to fill the required position.
Borough Attorney Robert McBriar told the council that state officials emphasized the need to fill the role and that the position requires roughly 14 training classes; the statutory OEM term is three years and the statute contemplates mayoral appointment and allows shared-service arrangements. McBriar recommended documenting the council’s significant efforts to find a qualified candidate, using protections for an interim voluntary appointment, and exploring shared services with neighboring municipalities while continuing recruitment.
Mayor Hutnick said he put his name forward as an interim coordinator so the borough would have a designated contact for county and state coordination. Councilman DeMeo moved to approve the mayor’s voluntary interim appointment without pay; the motion passed unanimously on roll call. Council members instructed staff to continue canvassing for permanent candidates and to consider shared-service agreements where feasible.
