Auburn's human resources director is not in violation of the city's residency requirement, according to the city manager. But some city leaders are concerned about confusion over where she lives.
Director of Human Resources Karen Green resides within the city of Auburn, City Manager Mark Palesh said Wednesday. When hired last year, she was given six months to relocate from her Sennett residence to a location in Auburn, and she did that, Palesh said.
Yet Green has also been serving as chair of the town of Sennett assessment review board, which requires its members to reside in that town. And Cayuga County Board of Elections records still have her listed as a resident of Taylor Road in Sennett.
If Green lived in Sennett, she would not be eligible to work for the city of Auburn. The policy states that city employees who do not work in public safety must live within the city limits.
But Palesh said Green is in “total compliance” with city rules and regulations.
“Any questions would have to be between her and the town of Sennett,” Palesh said.
Sennett Town Supervisor David Sikora did not return phone calls seeking comment Wednesday.
Officials did not provide Green's Auburn address, though The Citizen filed a formal request for the information Wednesday. Green declined to comment Wednesday when asked about the situation, but she did confirm her place of residence to be in Auburn.
The issue arose this week after a media report on her property on Taylor Road in Sennett. According to records, she has not paid taxes on the property because of its one-time designation as a toxic waste site. The board she chairs has been reducing the property's assessment to $0.
Palesh said there is no problem with employees owning property outside the city, as long as they move their main residence to Auburn.
City Councilor Matthew Smith also believes there is no problem if city employees own property outside of their Auburn residence. But he said he is concerned about what looks like a “mixed message” about where she resides.
“Either she lives in Sennett or she lives in Auburn, and the contract states (a city employee) has to be a resident of the city,” Smith said.
Smith said he is also “disappointed” to learn about the residency issue through the local media. If there was a problem, Smith said he wish he was notified sooner.
City Councilor Thomas McNabb also raised concerns Wednesday and said he is going to ask for an explanation over the residency situation.
McNabb added that he can recall a number of union employees over the years who have been terminated because they violated the residency policy.
“They're required to live in the city limits,” McNabb said. “I hope it's been taken care of.”
Staff writer Christopher Caskey can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 282 or christopher.caskey@lee.net.
Yet Green has also been serving as chair of the town of Sennett assessment review board, which requires its members to reside in that town. And Cayuga County Board of Elections records still have her listed as a resident of Taylor Road in Sennett.
If Green lived in Sennett, she would not be eligible to work for the city of Auburn. The policy states that city employees who do not work in public safety must live within the city limits.
But Palesh said Green is in “total compliance” with city rules and regulations.
“Any questions would have to be between her and the town of Sennett,” Palesh said.
Sennett Town Supervisor David Sikora did not return phone calls seeking comment Wednesday.
Officials did not provide Green's Auburn address, though The Citizen filed a formal request for the information Wednesday. Green declined to comment Wednesday when asked about the situation, but she did confirm her place of residence to be in Auburn.
The issue arose this week after a media report on her property on Taylor Road in Sennett. According to records, she has not paid taxes on the property because of its one-time designation as a toxic waste site. The board she chairs has been reducing the property's assessment to $0.
Palesh said there is no problem with employees owning property outside the city, as long as they move their main residence to Auburn.
City Councilor Matthew Smith also believes there is no problem if city employees own property outside of their Auburn residence. But he said he is concerned about what looks like a “mixed message” about where she resides.
“Either she lives in Sennett or she lives in Auburn, and the contract states (a city employee) has to be a resident of the city,” Smith said.
Smith said he is also “disappointed” to learn about the residency issue through the local media. If there was a problem, Smith said he wish he was notified sooner.
City Councilor Thomas McNabb also raised concerns Wednesday and said he is going to ask for an explanation over the residency situation.
McNabb added that he can recall a number of union employees over the years who have been terminated because they violated the residency policy.
“They're required to live in the city limits,” McNabb said. “I hope it's been taken care of.”
Staff writer Christopher Caskey can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 282 or christopher.caskey@lee.net.
