Sciorra Faces Employment Review

As the city prepares for a potential legal battle with City Manager Arthur J. Sciorra over accusations of defamation and breach of contract, some councilors are continuing the effort to part ways with Mr. Sciorra, and their next opportunity might be when the city reviews his performance next year.

"I supported it in September when I sent him the email. I supported it in October, November, and I support it now," said Deputy Mayor Michael D. Morley. "I will ask him to resign again, and if he doesn't, we'll go from there."

The council can elect to part ways with Mr. Sciorra when the City Council conducts its review of his employment next month. The City Charter requires all employees receive annual reviews conducted by their immediate supervisor. If the employee's performance is deemed unsatisfactory, a follow-up review is scheduled, and if the employee has not addressed the issues raised by the supervisor, termination may be considered.

"Responsibility falls on the council and their yearly reviews for the city manager," said Councilor Nicholas J. Vaugh. "That is a good way to operate. You judge a performance year to year, and in my four years we've accomplished a great deal under Art."

Mr. Morley and Mayor William D. Nelson have called on Mr. Sciorra to resign his position, claiming he withheld information from councilors about the city-owned property at 819 Knox Street, where a family was allowed to live for three years without paying rent or taxes.

Mr. Sciorra has stated that he does not intend to resign his position, leaving it up to the City Council to find the votes to terminate him. It does not appear that Mr. Sciorra will have the votes to save his job, as councilors state that he has lost the credibility to hold his position regardless of whether he was at fault for the Knox Street problem.

"I don't think he can appropriately manage the city under the circumstances of the last four months," said Councilor Wayne L. Ashley.

Councilor Michael B. Powers would not comment on whether he thought the city manager should be fired, but he did say that Mr. Sciorra's oversight of the city's housing program was lax.

"Our city manager is a good man, but he is quick to tell people that he is the CEO of the city," he said. "In my opinion he lost oversight of our planning department. He blamed some others, but the buck stops with him."

In the past, Councilor R. Storm Cilley has also said that Mr. Sciorra's response to Ogdensburg's housing problems would hinder his effectiveness as a city manager.

That raises the question of when and how the council will act on Mr. Sciorra's termination.

Some councilors and members of the public thought that Mr. Sciorra's contract would have to be reapproved when new city councilors are sworn in next month.

"If we get a new council and the new council wants to try something new, they can terminate him for no just cause," said Councilor Daniel E. Skamperle.

However, Charles J. Noth, village attorney for Saranac Lake, said there is nothing in state or federal law that requires Mr. Sciorra's contract to be renegotiated with the new council.

"Employment contracts are usually for a term of years and will stay in force when a board of directors changes," he said.

Mr. Sciorra's contract does not have an end date and it does not have to be renewed by the City Council when new councilors are seated. Ogdensburg's charter requires that the city manager serve for an indefinite term.

"That is the way the contract was drawn up in 2006," said Mr. Morley. "His employment will continue until his evaluation."

Mr. Nelson said that provision of the charter may be altered in the future.

Mr. Sciorra could not be reached for comment Friday.