The city of Little Falls and village of Ilion are involved in negotiations that could have an impact on the search for a new Little Falls Fire Department chief.
After current Chief Robert Parese on Oct. 20 handed in his resignation, effective Jan. 1, 2010, to return to an assistant chief position, city police and fire board members began looking at several options.
Mayor Robert Peters said Monday in a phone interview that he is planning a workshop to discuss the possibility of sharing services with Ilion officials. He said the aim was to gauge the city Common Council’s support of as well as Ilion officials’ willingness to approve any proposals, including those related to the fire chief issue.
But Peters declined to provide any details on the potential impact on filling the soon to be vacant fire chief position. “There is no end to where this could possibly lead,” he said, reiterating that several alternative proposals related to the fire chief position are still on the table.
One option previously discussed involved the city calling for a civil service exam through the county to find a replacement.
Peters said talking with Ilion officials constituted phase one of the process, and any votes would be conducted by the municipalities’ respective boards.
Ilion Mayor Mark Cushman referred to communications between his village and the city as “very, very preliminary discussions.” It is part of an active approach to shared services and consolidation being taken by the region’s mayors, he said in a phone interview.
Peters said he would announce any upcoming meetings as they are set.
Little Falls, N.Y. —
