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Council appoints George Ross as full-time DPW Laborer 1; questions raised about supervision
Summary
The Ogdensburg Borough Council voted unanimously to appoint George Ross as a full-time Laborer 1 in Public Works at $42,432 annually, effective Aug. 26, 2025, contingent on a background check. Council members asked how the additional laborer will be supervised amid ongoing assistant supervisor recruitment.
The Borough of Ogdensburg on Aug. 25 adopted Resolution 76-2025 appointing George Ross to the full-time position of Laborer 1 in the Department of Public Works at an annual salary of $42,432, effective Aug. 26, 2025, contingent on a negative criminal history background check and fingerprinting within one month. The CFO certified funds were available for the hire.
Councilwoman Ruitenberg asked, "are we not hiring a boss?" while seeking clarity on oversight for the new hires; Mayor George P. Hutnick replied, "this is the second laborer," and said oversight would fall to the DPW liaison. The council discussed that management candidates have been scarce and that hiring has focused on labor-level positions for now. The meeting record notes the appointment passed on a roll-call vote with all members voting yes.
The resolution cites the Civil Service job description for Laborer 1 and conditions the appointment on successful background clearance. The council also discussed the department's broader staffing plan, including continued efforts to recruit for an assistant supervisor and the role of a liaison in supervising multiple laborers. Mayor Hutnick said the borough will seek to work toward management hires as candidates become available.
Next steps: Ross's appointment is effective Aug. 26, 2025, pending required background checks; the council did not set a formal deadline at the meeting for naming a supervising manager for the DPW crew.
