New London — The city's personnel board on Wednesday is scheduled to meet to consider bypassing a city hiring policy in order to allow the mayor to hire a firefighter whose name does not appear on any current eligibility list.

Under the "rule of three," the city's personnel rules require that for every police and fire entry-level job opening the names of the top three candidates are considered.

According to the agenda for Wednesday's personnel board meeting, the rule of three would be set aside "in an effort to enhance diversification of the Fire Department..."

Mayor Daryl Justin Finizio, according to the agenda, has requested a resolution authorizing him to use his authority to hire as a probationary recruit "whose extraordinary service to the NLFD and/or City would justify their hiring."

The unnamed recruit would have to pass a qualifying examination before appointment to a fire academy class.

The board meets at 7 p.m. at in the anteroom of council chambers at city hall.