NEW CASTLE Mayor's pay raise reviewed

City council approved the 2002 budget, which includes a 2-mill tax increase.
By LAURE CIOFFI
VINDICATOR NEW CASTLE BUREAU
NEW CASTLE, Pa. -- City council members may have to take a second look at a pay increase they gave the mayor.
Council voted 2-1 to increase the mayor's annual salary to $55,000 in 2004. The mayor was paid $44,331 this year and receives an annual increase equal to the percentage given to other city employees, which is 3 percent for 2002.
Visitors at Thursday's council meeting, however, questioned the legality of council's vote, contending that state law requires the majority of council, and not just a majority of those present at a meeting, to increase salaries.
That would mean that three council members must approve the pay raise.
Council members Mark Elisco and Robert Bullano were absent.
Councilmen Rick DeBlasio and Stephen Vitale voted in favor of the mayor's raise and Councilwoman Patricia May voted against it.
City Solicitor James Manolis was unsure Thursday night if three yes votes were needed. He said he would research the matter and make a decision sometime today.
The pay increase will not affect Mayor Timothy Fulkerson's current term. He is up for re-election in 2003.
Another vote: Council members voted down a proposed pay increase for themselves. May and Vitale voted against increasing council's annual salary in 2004 from $2,400 to $5,000.
In other business, council members approved the 2002 budget which includes a 2-mill tax increase. The average city resident will see about a $20 increase in taxes next year.
Those extra tax dollars will pay for money city officials borrowed to fund downtown revitalization, which includes resurfacing streets, replacing sidewalks and curbs and adding new streetlights.
Council members also awarded the $3.5 million contract for that work to Terreri Construction of North Jackson, Ohio. City officials say the work could begin in the next few weeks if the weather stays warm.
Other business: City council also:
U Bought two properties off East Washington Street to expand parking for downtown revitalization. Mark and Joni Fulena will be paid $119,500 for their property, which includes a paving business, $62,615.84 for moving expenses, and $500 for attorney's fees. Gordon J. Flak will be paid $25,000 for his property, which includes a home improvement business, and $16,544.16 for moving expenses. The property owners will be paid with money from a state grant the city received for downtown revitalization.
U Agreed to a new contract with Manolis that names Ted Saad, an associate at his firm Verterano & amp; Manolis, as assistant city solicitor. The city will pay the following fees for any work done by Manolis or Saad that exceeds 33 hours per week: $150 an hour for a firm partner; $85 an hour for an associate; and $35 per hour for services of a paralegal.
U Voted to pay the Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh $4,000 for playground property near St. Margaret Church in Mahoningtown. It's part of an expansion of the city's playground system.
U Agreed to make an alley that runs behind the New Castle Playhouse one-way going west.