CityMay Have To Pay To Fire Sciorra

With calls for resignation and the results of an investigation on the way, Ogdensburg city councilors must decide whether to terminate the employment of City Manager Arthur J. Sciorra. The city, however, may be forced to pay a heavy toll if they decide to do so.

Mr. Sciorra's employment contract with Ogdensburg requires the city to pay him a lump sum of six months' salary as well as six months of insurance benefits if he is terminated without cause. Mr. Sciorra currently makes $99,748 annually.

"The terms are fairly generous, but seem to be in line with those in similar positions elsewhere," said Councilor R. Storm Cilley. "The question would be what constitutes cause."

Some on the city council believe that City Attorney Andrew W. Silver's investigation into the matter at 819 Knox St. will find cause to terminate the city manager. Mr. Silver plans on delivering his report to councilors Friday.

"I think there are some members of the council who are still waiting for the report and who will not say yes or no," said Deputy Mayor Michael D. Morley. "I hope the report will help them make up their minds. If they're honest, in the end they'll say it is time for (Mr. Sciorra) to go."

However, other councilors balk at the cost of terminating Mr. Sciorra if cause is not found.

"It is a heck of a lot more than taxpayers lost on the property at 819 Knox St.," said Councilor Daniel E. Skamperle. "The only thing they really lost was three years of water and sewer, which at most would come to $1,800. It doesn't seem like the numbers would justify that."

City leaders allowed a family to live in 819 Knox St. without paying rent or taxes for three years. In August, the city council asked Mr. Silver to investigate how this was allowed to happen and who was responsible.

Councilor Nicholas J. Vaugh is skeptical that the city attorney's report would find cause to terminate Mr. Sciorra.

"I don't think we have cause," said Mr. Vaugh. "I would not support terminating him without cause."

Mr. Morley believes the city already has reason enough to part ways with Mr. Sciorra.

"If we have cause, he gets nothing," said Mr. Morley. "I think lying to us is cause enough. I think signing illegal leases and purchase agreements is cause enough. I think collecting rent illegally is cause enough. We have tons of cause because (Mr. Sciorra) has been irresponsible."

At the Tuesday council meeting, the body set a public hearing for a lease signed by Mr. Sciorra and the occupants of the Knox Street house. From the city attorney's interpretation, the document is not legal and binding until heard and voted on by the council, but the city has already started collecting rent from the family.

"The process was illegal," said Mr. Morley. "(Mr. Sciorra) knows the process. We've done it in other places. To violate the process now is indefensible."

Mr. Skamperle said he might support terminating the city manager if the report finds cause.

"It looks like there's a couple of members of council that have been trying to rush this whole thing along rather than take a good look at the situation," said Mr. Skamperle. "I would have to see what kind of report we have."

Mr. Vaugh said that he would not support firing Mr. Sciorra.

"The progress made in this city over the past years has been tremendous, and Mr. Sciorra was the figurehead for that," said Mr. Vaugh. "Overall, he has been a leader for the community and I think he has been one of our greatest assets."

Regardless of the results of the report, Mr. Cilley said that the Mr. Sciorra will have difficulty continuing to work for Ogdensburg.

"The city manager and each councilor must ask themselves whether or not Mr. Sciorra can effectively continue to manage the city and regain the confidence and respect of the council and citizens," said Mr. Cilley. "I think that it will be very difficult if not impossible for him to do that."