Potsdam village shake-ups: Administrator is now code officer, treasurer is now interim administrator

Andy Gardner, Watertown Daily Times, N.Y.
·2 min read

May 2—POTSDAM — There is a significant shift happening in the village's personnel roster.

The village administrator is transitioning to a reduced role as the code enforcement officer and Department of Public Works superintendent. Simultaneously, the code enforcement officer is departing for a new position, and the village treasurer is stepping in as interim village administrator.

"The village of Potsdam aims to keep the public informed regarding the shifting roles of our esteemed staff," Mayor Alexandra M. Jacobs Wilke said during a special village board meeting on Tuesday night.

Village Administrator Greg Thompson has decided to step back from his administrative duties and assume a dual role as code enforcement officer/superintendent of public works, which was effective Wednesday.

"Greg arrived at this decision after thorough contemplation, and we appreciate his ongoing commitment as a vital team member. His expertise in code enforcement and public works remains pivotal as we progress," the mayor said.

Thompson, who is also a former village code enforcement officer, took on the role of administrator in late 2016 following the departure of Everett Basford. Jacobs Wilke confirmed that Thompson still holds certification for the code enforcement officer position. As part of his new responsibilities, Thompson's salary will decrease to $88,000 from just over $94,000 as administrator.

In a special meeting held on Monday, the village board appointed Village Treasurer Isabelle Gates-Shult as interim administrator, effective Wednesday. Gates-Shult will receive a monthly stipend of $2,500 for the additional duties alongside her base salary as treasurer.

"Isabelle will manage both roles in the coming months as we strategize the optimal approach for these crucial functions. We have complete confidence in our team's ability to propel the village forward, and we are grateful for their dedication," Jacobs Wilke said Tuesday.

The village board is scheduled to conduct a review no later than July 31 to establish a permanent solution for the administrator and treasurer positions.

Additionally, at the meeting held Monday, the village board accepted "with regret" the resignation of village code enforcement officer Lisa Newby Thompson, who moving on to a new position with the town of Morristown.

"Today, we bid farewell to a longstanding member of our staff. Lisa Thompson's departure marks the end of her tenure as a code enforcement officer in our village, but we extend our best wishes for her future endeavors," the mayor said Monday. "We appreciate her dedicated service to the village and wish her all the best."

Newby Thompson was the village code enforcement officer for the past seven years. Her resignation is retroactively effective April 19.