Ogdensburg City Council unanimously voted to fire City Manager Art Sciorra, effective immediately.

"I think we as a city council said we need to resolve this and move forward for the sake of Mr. Sciorra and for the sake of our community as well," said Ogdensburg Mayor Bill Nelson.

The decision to fire Sciorra follows months of controversy surrounding a city owned home on Knox Street where a family was allowed to live rent and tax free for years.

Sciorra was suspended last month after city council adopted a preliminary resolution to fire him for his handling of that situation.

City council had the chance to make that move officially in a special session last week.

It also could have reinstated him.

It chose to postpone making a decision until Tuesday night.

In the meantime, a third option was put on the table.

"We opted to meet with Mr. Sciorra and come up with an amicable resolution to the situation," said Nelson.

That resolution was to terminate Sciorra's contract without cause.

That wording was part of a legal settlement agreed to at Tuesday's meeting.

Although both parties would not discuss the details, they say that settlement entitles Sciorra to severance pay and some of the benefits in his original contract.

"It was the decision that allowed us both to go forward and resume our lives," said Sciorra.

That's something both Sciorra and city lawmakers say they're looking forward to.

Sciorra says he plans to continue his career elsewhere.

Nelson says he wishes Sciorra well.

See our earlier report