NEW MIDDLETOWN Village workers will get raises
Council also hired a part-time police officer and bought new fire equipment.
BY MARY GRZEBIENIAK
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
NEW MIDDLETOWN -- The village's 12 hourly employees will receive a 3 percent raise, effective Jan. 1.
Council unanimously passed a resolution Monday authorizing the increase.
Hourly employees include the administrator, the secretary-clerk, eight part-time police officers and two part-time street workers.
Council also authorized clerk Carl Flitcraft Jr. to secure a loan of up to $280,600 at the best possible rate at Sky Bank to buy a new fire truck. The village is negotiating with American LaFrance of Pittsburgh over specifics of the contract. In dispute is whether charges would be imposed if the order is canceled.
American LaFrance was "the most compliant" of four bidders, according to fire Chief William Opsitnik.
Funds from levy: The vehicle will be paid for with proceeds from a 2.5-mill fire levy passed last year and will replace a 1956 fire engine.
Once the contract is finalized, the vehicle will be built according to specifications and delivered in nine months.
The New Middletown Volunteer Fire Department has one other 1980 truck, a squad vehicle and a car.
Council also agreed, after an executive session, to hire Dan Coler as a part-time police officer at $8.97 hourly and placed him on a one-year probationary period. Coler has worked for the Lowellville Police Department. He replaces Steve Morlan, who resigned.
They authorized the fire department to buy seven breathing apparatus bottles at $499 each for a total $3,493. They also gave permission for sale of six old bottles that no longer are compatible with the fire department's system.
A traffic study was authorized at Calla Road and state Route 170 to determine if a traffic light is warranted.
Even though half the intersection is in Springfield Township, council member Rebecca Mason said the village should pay for the study because there have been many accidents there. The cost of the study is not known.
Council also adopted a new parking ordinance, which will correct an oversight. Parking had been included in the section on traffic offenses and the penalty section had to be changed to reflect that parking tickets are less serious than traffic offenses and do not require a court appearance.
Fine amounts will remain the same.
Council also authorized spending $500 for a swearing-in ceremony and dinner Dec. 27 for council members and one guest each. They invited residents wishing to participate in a first-time village caroling event to meet at 6:15 p.m. Dec. 19 at the fire hall.
Council thanked Dickey Electric, New Middletown Lions Club and Councilman Jack Novicky for putting up the Christmas decorations.