GIRARD Officials hope to avert layoffs of city workers

Girard has turned to a temporary budget because finances are uncertain.
By TIM YOVICH
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
GIRARD -- The city administration says it wants to return workers to the payroll before the end of the year, but it can't offer any guarantees.
Mayor James Melfi sent layoff notices to 23 full- and part-time workers Thursday. The effective date is Dec. 28.
Frank Rich, director of safety and human resources, told an overflowing crowd at a special city council meeting Monday that he hopes the mayor can rescind the notification letter.
Both Rich and Melfi were quick to add that there is no guarantee that will be done, however.
Required notification: Rich explained that contracts with the unions representing city workers contain requirements of a 14-day notice before actual layoffs occur.
The city has been under a state-imposed fiscal emergency since Aug. 8 and is facing a $868,000 deficit by the end of 2002, the state auditor's office says.
Budget: During the meeting, council approved a one-month temporary budget so the city can pay bills through January.
Councilwoman Kathleen O'Connell Sauline, D-2nd, asked fellow lawmakers to approve a 30-day appropriation rather than a three-month measure because of the uncertainties of city finances.
Lawmakers approved a $310,000 budget, or one-twelfth of the city's expected 2002 general fund revenue of $3.72 million.
Melfi is required by law to come up with a long-range plan to dig the city out of its financial woes. That deadline is Jan. 25.
Facing layoffs: Layoff notices went to three full-time patrol officers, 14 part-time firefighters, four full-time workers in the water department and one part-timer each in the sewer and street departments.
Also among those slated for layoff is Brian Maynard, who runs the city-owned Union Cemetery.
"Who's going to bury the people in this town? Who's going to do it? Not me," an emotional Maynard said.
"No one wanted cutbacks. Employees of this city don't deserve what's happening," Melfi responded.
Recreation funds: During the meeting, lawmakers reduced from 61/2 percent to 21/2 percent the amount in the general fund that will go toward recreation.
Elizabeth Zagorski, president of American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Local 3356, questioned how the city can fund the recreation department yet lay off full-time workers who provide critical services.
Melfi termed reducing the recreation budget from $190,000 to $75,000 as "bare bones."
The public, the mayor added, demands and deserves that ballparks and parks remain open, and he will rely on volunteers from city sports organizations to help.
Councilman Joseph Lambert, D-at large, said further cuts in recreation are "the final nail in the coffin."
Sauline suggested there will be cuts in the administration's budget, although Melfi countered that the city has been without a sewer department superintendent, fire chief and deputy auditor.
Rich admitted he doesn't know how the safety forces will be able to function with the layoffs and cuts in the police and fire departments.
Police Chief Anthony Ross has asked Trumbull County Sheriff Thomas Altiere for help in case of an emergency. The chief noted he will be able to provide one or two officers on patrol per shift.
yovich@vindy.com