Ogdensburg council debates provisional promotion as DPW staffing shortfall raises winter safety concerns

Ogdensburg, N.J. — At a Borough of Ogdensburg meeting on Aug. 22, council members approved a consent agenda and adopted a salary ordinance, then spent the bulk of the session debating how to address a Department of Public Works staffing shortage ahead of winter.

Mayor George P. Hutnick opened the discussion saying the DPW supervisor is out indefinitely after a non‑work injury and the borough is left with one long‑time worker, Jim Struble, and a new hire scheduled to start Aug. 29. “We need plow drivers, we need DPW staff; we are not going to be able to clear this town with one single person or two people,” Hutnick said, pressing the council for a concrete plan.

Why it matters: Borough Attorney Robert McBriar told the council that Civil Service confirmed the municipality may provisionally promote an employee to an assistant supervisor title for up to six months to maintain operations while the supervisor’s status is unresolved. Council members split on whether to use that authority immediately, table the decision to the Sept. 12 meeting or pursue hiring a permanent supervisor.

Chief Gordon, speaking as a department head, warned of public‑safety risks if roads are not plowed and emergency vehicles cannot reach residents. “When somebody dies because we can’t get there in the winter time he isn’t putting that on his head,” Chief Gordon said, urging the council to act and offering departmental cooperation.

Councilman Anthony Nasisi (referenced by title in the minutes) strongly supported promoting Struble, noting Struble’s institutional knowledge and long record of stepping up when needed. “Everything comes in its own time and this is that time,” Nasisi said. Councilman Alvarez asked to table the matter to allow more time to review details, and the mayor noted that tabling would leave the new hire idle until the next meeting.

Public comment reflected frustration with the delay. Resident Brendan Donegan said tabling a provisional appointment despite civil service authority was “embarrassing” and warned of consequences for school operations and snow removal. Former council member Mike Nardini urged personnel action and praised Struble’s work.

Votes at a glance: The council approved the consent agenda, which included Resolution 52‑2022 appointing Joseph Marino as a full‑time DPW Laborer 1 at an annual salary of $41,600 (effective Aug. 29, 2022, contingent on a negative criminal background check and fingerprinting). The council also adopted Ordinance 04‑2022 amending salary schedules; both measures passed on unanimous roll call votes. The meeting also approved payment of vouchers spanning Current, Water, General Capital and Payroll funds as listed in the minutes.

What’s next: The council did not take final action on a provisional appointment at the Aug. 22 meeting; several members indicated they would revisit the matter at the next regular meeting on Sept. 12. Borough Attorney McBriar offered to supply additional civil‑service guidance and documentation to inform that decision.

Details and context: The minutes record McBriar’s statement that Civil Service permits a temporary promotion for up to six months, after which an employee may receive a provisional appointment or revert to their permanent title. The minutes also record operational constraints cited by Chief Gordon — limited four‑wheel‑drive vehicles for winter response and dependence on DPW for road clearance — and residents’ statements that delay could affect school transportation and emergency response. The new hire’s start date was stated as Aug. 29 but the council’s decision to table would mean the employee could be available but not assigned supervisory duties until the council acts.

The meeting adjourned at 7:52 p.m.