PORT JERVIS, NY — Residency requirements for Port Jervis official city positions came under scrutiny at the meeting on March 25, when Teresa Spradling, who has been working in the city’s assessor’s office for several years, was finally confirmed as the successor to the previous assessor. But it required passing a new law, causing comments and debate from council members, Mayor Kelly Decker and residents who came to voice their opinions in a public hearing.

Local law number eight, which passed, allows someone who does not live inside the city limits be accepted for a public position.

Second Ward resident Peter Tomasi spoke against changing the law, although most council members and other residents were for it. Tomasi said, “I’m old school. If I live in a place, I’m more invested naturally. I work in New York City, but my home is here. I’m more involved, it’s second nature. When the highest-paid, most senior members are told you don’t have to live here, it sends the wrong signal.”

Council members Kristin Trovei and Regis Foster agreed.

Trovei explained she feared the new law opens the door for blanket approval for other positions, when the goal should be to employ people who live in the city.

Foster agreed saying, “People should live in Port Jervis.”

Councilman Robert Ritchie’s position was the same in principle, but he added, “Some positions sometimes require expertise. I believe the local law has to be revised, but I would like to make the current person permanent.”

Councilman Stan Siegel added, “This is not a blanket; each individual will be looked at.”

Resident Wayne Kidney said, “This has been done many times before, and it works for the city. We gained some really good officials in this manner. I believe this is for someone the city wants to hire… I hope you approve it”.

Another resident spoke in favor also. “I know the woman is not a resident now, but she grew up here, her roots and connections are here. She’s been working downstairs for a number of years, and she’s loyal.”

Decker said each position that comes up will be judged on case-by-case basis.

He also said it’s important to get the best people for the positions that need to be filled, and while he’s in agreement that locals come first, “I’m not aware of anyone who came forward.” He added that this position requires a state certification, and not every applicant has that.

Spradling has had connections to the City of Port Jervis all her life. She grew up there, went to school there and only moved out to nearby Pond Eddy when she married and had children.

Siegel added, “People who moved out of the city, if they have children in schools and so on, they can’t sell their house to move back to town, we have to make accommodations for them.”

Councilman David Bavoso said, “I’m going to vote for this now; we need to fill it now. If nobody passes the test, we have nobody, and then we’ll be shooting ourselves in the foot.”

In a vote, the new law was carried with two “no” votes from Trovei and Foster. Decker welcomed Spradling and her husband Mark, who were in attendance, to the city.