Judge Rules In Favor Of Utica In Term Limits Petition Lawsuit

Oneida County Supreme Court Judge Erin Gall has ruled in favor of the City of Utica in the lawsuit over the filing of term limit petitions.

Gall ruled that the second round of petitions cannot be filed until September 24th, which means the measure will not make it onto the November ballot.

Ballot items must be submitted at least 60 days prior to the election and the deadline for this year is September 6th.

Former Councilman Lou Critelli submitted the final petition signatures last week, but the City Clerk said by law, she had to wait 60 days before certifying them.

Critell wants to return term limits in Utica back to 8 years as originally approved by public referendum in 1992.

The current 12 year term limits were put in place last year by the Common Council.