Faced with the threat of a legal challenge, the City of Utica Municipal Civil Service Commission reaffirmed the appointment of a once-retired Utica Fire Department assistant chief to his former position.
Assistant Chief George Clark retired in April after more than 30 years with the department but returned at Mayor Robert Palmieri’s request after Palmieri appointed current assistant chief Scott Ingersoll to provisional fire chief to fill that vacancy.
The commission granted the mayor’s request last month and reinstated Clark. That reinstatement, however, was found improper since Ingersoll technically still holds the position of assistant chief, thereby requiring the Civil Service Commission to convert Clark’s reinstatement to a temporary appointment.
Members did so unanimously Wednesday after they were warned of potential legal action by Thomas Carcone, president of the Utica Professional Firefighters union.