Despite Auburn officials supporting the abolishment of the civil service commission, voters decided to maintain the status quo.

Residents voted 2,098 to 1,571 to keep a three-person civil service commission instead of giving the duties to a human resource director. The Auburn City Council agreed in July to put the proposal to abolish the commission up for a vote.

City manager Mark Palesh said one personnel officer in charge of administering civil service lists instead of three would cut through the bureaucracy.

He and some councilors had issues with the Civil Service Commission policy of lateral transfers.

Commission chair Bob Welch has said the purpose of the commission is to ensure a fair hiring process.

Palesh is interviewing for the human resources director position and has said he would fill the position no matter the results of this referendum.

All voters throughout Cayuga County faced a proposal to change the term limit for the Cayuga County Legislature. Voters agreed to cap terms at no more than three.

A term is defined with an appointment, together with an election.

Elsewhere in the county, Montezuma still will have two town justices.

Voters decided 169 to 92 to keep that number instead of reducing it to a single justice.

Niles officials will build a town highway garage complex adjacent to the town hall in New Hope.

Voters agreed 145 to 80 to allow the town will expend no more than $697,387 out of the capital reserves to buy the land and erect the garage.

Volunteer firefighters living in Fair Haven will receive a real property tax exemption. Residents gave the nod 116 to 41 to allow the tax incentive.

Finally, the state received the permission from voters to drill a water well in Hamilton County 5,780 to 2,183.

Staff writer Jessica Soule can be reached at 253-5311, ext. 267 or

jessica.soule@lee.net