COUNCILS

COUNCILS
STRUTHERS
Passed to the second of three readings an ordinance fixing the salaries of all elected officials, effective Jan. 1. The ordinance, as it currently reads, leaves the salaries unchanged for the mayor, treasurer, president of council and all council members through 2002 , followed by raises in 2003, except for the mayor. Council agreed to discuss the matter further since some members said they would feel uncomfortable accepting a raise, given the status of the economy and the uncertainty of how it might affect city finances.
Approved paying $2,500 to the Mahoning River Consortium to join with other communities in raising $75,000 to secure funds for a feasibility study for the Mahoning River ecological restoration project.
WARREN
Held off voting on a resolution to support the city's split from the 17th Congressional District, a topic that's been discussed at the city and county level in recent weeks. Mayor Hank Angelo recommended that council take no action and said he and his brother, Joseph, a Trumbull County commissioner, did not spearhead the move to redistrict. He said that Commissioner James Tsagaris called meetings on the issue and that the city and county never took sides.
Agreed to require out-of-town contractors doing work in the city to register with the income tax administrator before doing business, to ensure better collection of taxes. Some legislators said the city needs to resolve the situation with Tony Joy, the man contracted to run its Avalon South Golf Course. Councilman Brendan Keating, D-5th, said that he used to work at the course and knows Joy but that he's not sure the city should be renegotiating the current management contract. The dispute is over unpaid property taxes and rental payments to the city. Councilman Bob Marchese, D-at-large, said he'll contact the mayor to set up a meeting on the issue.
Introduced legislation to give council's clerk a one-time payment of $1,407 and the deputy clerk $618 for retroactive raises for 2001. It also outlines salaries for 2002. Council held off voting on similar legislation in recent weeks because of a legal discrepancy.
Tom Angelo, director of the city's Water Pollution Control Center, told council that Nature's Blend, an organic fertilizer made from municipal sewage sludge, is now a registered trademark.
Canceled its Dec. 26 meeting, but will likely hold a special meeting later in the month to vote on the 2002 budget. Council's public utilities committee will meet at 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, with a finance committee meeting set for 6 p.m. to discuss the budget.
Commended police Capt. Dennis Steinbeck for his service to the city. He takes over as Champion police chief in January.
TOWNSHIP TRUSTEES
SPRINGFIELD
Authorized police Chief Matthew Mohn to order a 2002 Ford Crown Victoria cruiser for $19,852. Equipment will cost extra.
Learned from fire Chief Frank Molnar that a new ambulance only needs to be equipped with a radio and will be ready for service Jan. 1.
Heard from road superintendent Richard Kennedy that a new snowplow was delivered Tuesday, the salt bins are filled and the department is ready for bad weather.
Approved three new reserve policemen, Dustin Strines, Adam Treharne and Kevin Harvey, and firefighters Larry Ricketts and Joshua Wharry for Station One.
Heard from Chief Mohn that he contacted Waste Management Inc. after receiving several complaints about garbage trucks taking a shortcut on Baird Road, between Garfield and Route 165. He said the operations manager at the company agreed to notify all haulers not to use side roads because of a 17-ton load limit.
Thanked Thomas Kerr for his 16 years as a trustee. Kerr, who did not win re-election, will be replaced by Shirley Heck in January.