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Ogdensburg introduces two DPW hires and begins supervisor search amid resident questions
Summary
Mayor George Hutnick introduced two Department of Public Works employees, including newly appointed John Mulcahey, and said the borough has cleared civil-service steps to advertise and interview for a DPW supervisor; a resident questioned the timing and the mayor said hiring was constrained by payroll and written retirement notice requirements.
The Borough of Ogdensburg introduced two new Department of Public Works employees during its Sept. 26 council meeting and said it is interviewing for a DPW supervisor after completing civil-service steps.
Mayor George P. Hutnick asked Joe Marino and John Mulcahey to stand; Mulcahey was appointed earlier in the consent agenda under Resolution 56-2022. “John started today and Joe has been here for several weeks,” the mayor said, praising their work and saying they were already "doing what they are supposed to be doing." The mayor added the borough has posted the supervisor position, cleared required legal and civil-service procedures, and is conducting interviews.
During public comment, resident Stacy Walsh questioned the timing of the supervisor ad and the process, saying she expected the borough to have more lead time for a retirement. Hutnick responded that the borough could not afford to support two salaries and that he did not receive a written retirement letter from the incumbent until June. Clerk Robin Hough and other participants emphasized that written documentation of retirement is required before hiring replacements.
Why it matters: DPW staffing affects borough operations such as roadwork, maintenance and snow removal. The council’s appointment of a full-time laborer and the supervisor hiring process will shape capacity for routine and capital work.
Council action: The appointment of John Mulcahey to the full-time position of Laborer 1 in the Department of Public Works was approved as part of the consent agenda by unanimous roll call (Cowdrick, DeMeo, Nasisi, Poyer). The council did not take final action on a supervisor hire at the Sept. 26 meeting.
Next steps: Interviews for the DPW supervisor position are underway; the council and borough staff said they will follow civil-service rules and wait for required written confirmations before finalizing any hire.
Ending note: Residents who have concerns about hiring timelines were invited to discuss them directly with the mayor, and the borough expects to proceed with interviews and follow required hiring procedures.
