The Springfield City Council is convening a special meeting this Friday to vote on a proposed ordinance to revive a citizen-led commission to oversee the Police department.

Michael Fenton, the council president, says the meeting will include the first two of three votes needed to reinstate a board with hiring and firing authority that is currently held by the police commissioner.

“Time is very much of the essence due to the apparent urgency of the administration to make an appointment for the position of Police Commissioner,” Fenton says.

A spokesperson confirmed this week that Mayor Domenic Sarno completed interviews with three deputies for the post, and would soon announce his pick to replace William Fitchett, who is retiring in June.

Councilors are trying to enact the ordinance before Sarno makes his appointment. Fenton says he has more than enough votes to pass the police commission ordinance, which the mayor has promised to veto. A final vote on the measure would be held on March 31st.