The Springfield Mayor Dom Sarno has named five members of a new board which will enforce the city’s residency requirement for city workers. The move comes after a Superior Court Judge’s ruling that the city failed to enforce its own ordinance for a quarter of a century.
Mayor Sarno states, “I want to thank those individuals who have agreed to serve on our Residency Compliance Commission. This has been a very complex and multifaceted process, as evident by the lengthy time period it has taken our courts to review this matter. This diverse and well-qualified body will continue to enhance our HR efforts led by HR and Labor Relations Director Attorney Bill Mahoney, as we work together within all aspects of the law and in compliance with all relevant collective bargaining agreements including state civil service laws, and just as important the Constitutional principles of due process.”
Mayor Sarno has informed City Council President Marcus Williams that per the ordinance he will appoint the seventh member to the commission.
Council President Williams thanked the Mayor for his steadfast support of the Residency Ordinance and has named Ward 2 City Councilor Attorney Michael Fenton to the Residency Compliance Commission.
“I want to thank Mayor Sarno for his support of the Residency Ordinance and naming the members to the Residency Compliance Commission,” Council President Williams said. “The City Council has made valiant efforts to uphold the integrity of the Residency Ordinance. Per my authority as City Council President, I have appointed City Councilor Attorney Michael Fenton to serve as the City Council designee on the Commission. On behalf of myself, Councilor Fenton and the entire City Council, we look forward to working together with the administration and the Commission members for the betterment of our City and our residents.”
The appointments of City Clerk Gladys Oyola, Fire Department Captain Drew Piemonte, The Budget and Grants Director Melanie Acobe and Election Commissioner Alex Sherman, did not come without notice from other city councilors.
City Councilor Justin Hurst stated, “Hand-selecting people to serve on boards and commissions who have the ability to be controlled because they are reliant on a paycheck from the City might be the norm in this administration, but is the wrong way govern. Just this morning, I heard from a constituent who was interested in serving on the Commission and wondered what the selection process was and why your average tax paying citizen wasn’t afforded the opportunity to serve. Unfortunately, I had no answer for him.”
The council is expected to have more to say on the issue tonight when it meets for the first time in the new year.
(Photo Credit: John Baibak, WHYN News)