CORTLAND Council to consider plan to fire service director

Some council members blame Makosky for problems on past projects.
By STEPHEN SIFF
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
CORTLAND -- An ordinance to fire Service Director Paul Makosky will be considered by council Monday, four weeks after tabling a measure that would have slashed his salary by more than one-third.
Council members and Mayor Melissa Long -- who submitted the ordinance, despite saying she supports Makosky -- say the ordinance is likely to pass.
Makosky has been under fire by council members, who say he has made mistakes on recent projects.
"There have been different things," said Councilman James Chubb.
In one project a few years ago, water pipes were laid backward under Fowler Street, so water wouldn't flow, he said. On the recently completed High Street project, drives to businesses were configured improperly and are being re-done, he said.
Work done on Laura Lane and Anthony Circle also is under review by engineering consultants in light of flooding there.
Agreed to resign
Makosky agreed in June to resign at the start of next year, Long said.
The postponed resignation would allow him to complete five years employment, and build up more credit in the Public Employees Retirement System and his health care plan, she said.
However, she said some members of council were not satisfied with this verbal agreement, and wanted Makosky to put his resignation in writing.
Makosky refused, Long said.
Makosky makes $41,000 a year. He declined to comment this morning.
Last month, council tabled an ordinance to reduce his annual salary by $15,000.
Long said she sponsored the ordinance to remove Makosky rather than watch council chip away at his salary.
"I think the projects are done, they are finished," she said. "I don't have a problem with Paul."
Under Cortland's charter, a vote by the majority of council is sufficient to reduce an employee's salary. However, all six council members must agree to remove a department head against the mayor's will, Long said.
siff@vindy.com