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Council appoints Hank Kaczynski interim public works commissioner, holds swearing-in
Summary
At a finance department budget workshop, the council unanimously appointed Hank Kaczynski as interim commissioner of public works and administered the oath of office; members discussed timing for a special election and transparency about the appointment process.
The city council voted unanimously during a budget workshop to appoint Hank Kaczynski as interim commissioner of public works and immediately administered the oath of office.
Mayor Safford moved the appointment and Commissioner Dylan Moran seconded the motion before the vote. Mayor Safford framed the action as a practical step to ensure leadership in DPW through the budget season, saying the council had repeatedly rejected a committee approach and “we need somebody to engage in this, this budget.” After the vote, an official presiding over the ceremony administered the oath and Kaczynski repeated it: “I, Hank Kaczynski, do solemnly swear ... As commissioner of public works for the city of Saratoga Springs.”
During discussion prior to the vote, members acknowledged public questions about the speed of the appointment and whether a committee process had been bypassed. Several speakers said they had considered a special election timetable; the mayor noted an intention to hold an election on Jan. 28 and said the interim appointment is meant to cover duties until the election can occur. The council recorded no abstentions and declared the appointment effective immediately.
