By Dan Hust
MONTICELLO — A Civil Service deadline passed at the beginning of this week, yet the Village of Monticello remains without a permanent police chief.
Lt. Mark Johnstone continues to serve as the acting chief, but Village Manager John LiGreci’s intention to name Sgt. William Goble to the post permanently is still on hold.
And now that 60 days have passed since the list of eligible candidates was certified, County Personnel Officer Carolyn Hill must attempt to recertify the three Monticello officers interested in the position.
They have seven business days to respond to a canvassing letter she just sent out, and if they do not reply or otherwise indicate they’re no longer interested, the village will have to wait till another Civil Service test for the position is held next year.
“The whole process would start over again,” LiGreci confirmed yesterday. “We’re looking at March.”
He said he’d hire a provisional chief in the interim, if necessary (who would also have to be approved by Hill as qualified per Civil Service law).
Goble confirmed he’s still interested in the job but is awaiting a satisfactory proposal.
“There are still a few snags in the contract,” he said yesterday. “My attorney and their attorney can’t agree on certain issues.”
Goble declined to elaborate but indicated he does plan to respond to Hill’s recertification letter, which he has yet to receive.
A separate letter Hill sent to LiGreci earlier this week stated her office will certify a new list “as a result of concern for inconsistencies in the process.” She also stated that her office will coordinate interviews with each of the still-interested candidates
“As the Personnel Officer, I will exercise the right to sit in during the interviews to ascertain that all candidates are advised of and receive the same information,” Hill wrote LiGreci. “You stated that you would not interview again; however, to ensure the consistent delivery of information to the candidates, the re-interview is necessary.”
Hill did not return a call seeking comment by press time.