NORWICH – Last week’s Common Council meeting saw the proposed appointment of an additional finance clerk come up two votes shy of approval, and one city official left the council chambers after it failed to pass.
Finance Director William Roberts quietly exited the building shortly after watching the proposal – which would have added one full-time position to the city’s finance department – fail by a vote of four to two following a lengthy discussion.
Although the council had already approved the position on two previous occasions, Tuesday’s meeting saw Aldermen Robert Carey, John Deierlein, Walter Schermerhorn and Robert Jeffrey changing their position this time around.
In April, the council unanimously approved the provisional appointment of Regina Pylinski to the position. When contacted, however, Pylinski had already taken employment elsewhere.
According to Roberts, vacancies in the Finance Department have led to severe backlogs, and the department has accumulated a number of additional duties over the years due to staff reductions.
Aldermen Terry Bresina and Paul Laughlin both voted to approve the appointment.
“I think Bill is very responsible and wouldn’t have asked for the position to be filled if he didn’t need it. This should have just been a formality, this second time,” stated Laughlin. “I don’t know what the agenda was ... the money was already there and the job was filled. Bill deserved to have someone in that position and I don’t understand it at all.”
Although Alderman Carey had previously voiced opposition to the appointment – due to the difficult economic scenario facing New York state – Tuesday’s Common Council meeting was the first time he’d voted against it. He added that everyone must be ready to tighten their belts due to the recession.
The full-time position would include salary and benefits totaling approximately $30,000, paid for out of the city’s Wastewater Fund, which Roberts repeatedly said would have no impact on the General Fund and thus, property taxes. Carey disagreed, and said there must be an impact due to the city’s need to put away funds for its infrastructure needs.
“It’s been my observation that the council members that voted against this proposal are concerned with New York state’s fiscal affairs and how they are, and will be, impacting local governments,” said Roberts.
Alderman Laughlin said that it’s his understanding the city may be able to hire someone temporarily for the position, and it may be back on the table for further discussion at a future date.
Mayor Joseph Maiurano said that – with the state’s economic situation the way it is – it’s simply not a good time to be hiring.
“Sometimes people change their mind,” said the mayor of Tuesday’s meeting. “Sometimes it just happens that way.”