UTICA — A new police chief is being sought to serve the village of Utica. This comes with the retirement of current chief Bob Curtis, as officially announced Monday evening when Utica Village Council met at town hall.
Curtis has served as Utica Police Chief since 1976. He graduated from Utica High School in 1969 and received his training at Tri-County Police Academy.
“The time was just right,” said Curtis, who told the News he will now pursue spending time with his four grandchildren. “We’re just going to do what we want to do.”
Curtis’ retirement will be effective March 31. Utica Mayor Lester Grennell is to appoint a new police chief sometime in April.
Only one business item appeared on the monthly agenda. Approved was Ordinance 12-004 waiving the statutory residence requirement for the village marshal. Mayor Lester Grennell said that the current ordinance requires the police chief to reside in the village for six months after appointment. This is a state law, according to village solicitor Sarah Light, but passage of a local ordinance can allow for the exception. This move may become necessary in the appointment of a new police chief. The ordinance was approved 6-0 under suspension of the three-reading rule.
