BY JIMMY LAWTON

North Country This Week

OGDENSBURG -- The proposed 2019 Ogdensburg City Budget would cut a half-time clerk position from the city codes office, but Code Enforcement Officer Greg Mallette warned council that the position was needed.

Mallette said losing the clerk would leave his office understaffed and would hinder ongoing efforts to keep furniture and clutter out of city yards and streets.

Deputy Mayor Dan Skamperle noted that the city added a housing inspector position to the office last year and asked which of the two positions he believed would be more useful to the department.

Mallette turned the question around, asking Skamperle if he noticed the city has less junk such as couches sitting out.

Skamperle said he has noticed an improvement and asked if perhaps two half time jobs could be used to instead of replacing the clerk.

Mallette said it would be tough to find someone to work in the position part-time.

"Who can raise a family on part-time," he said, adding that filling positions in his office was already difficult.

Mallette said that losing the position would make the office "limp."

He said the codes department spends a lot of time in the field and not having someone in the office would likely lead to more complaints and less time in the field would likely leave the city looking worse.

Council did not take action on the matter, but it is expected to be discussed further as budget workshops continue.