NILES City to pay Fabrizio for extra work

The ordinance limits the additional $200 per month to six months.
By DENISE DICK
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
NILES -- The city's sewage superintendent will temporarily earn more money for doing more work to comply with Ohio Environmental Protection Agency requirements.
City council approved an ordinance Wednesday to pay Randy Fabrizio an additional $200 per month if he is assigned additional work to comply with Ohio EPA requirements.
The city got a letter last month from OEPA saying the discharge permit for the city's waste treatment plant requires an operator with a Class IV certification be in charge of the plant.
OEPA's Division of Drinking and Ground Waters in Columbus didn't approve Dennis Donadio, the plant's chief operator, for proceeding with application procedures for certification to the position, citing a lack of time in an assistant superintendent position, so Ohio EPA considers the city in violation of that part of its permit.
OEPA recommended that Fabrizio, who holds the required certification, become the resident supervisor. That would require him to spend time at the Summit Street plant. His office is in city hall.
Concerns: The city still has some questions about the letter, such as how other cities without Class IV operators are dealing with the requirement.
Fabrizio said several other communities are in the same situation, but he's concerned about liability to the city of not having a person with the correct license at the plant if something goes awry.
The ordinance passed Wednesday authorizes the assignment of Fabrizio to the additional duties and the additional pay if Sam Natoli, service director, assigns him.
"I have faith that Mr. Natoli is not going to send [Fabrizio] down there if it's not needed," said Councilman Robert Marino Jr., D-at large.
All of the council members attending the meeting approved the legislation; Councilman Thomas Scarnecchia, D-at large, was out of town.
The ordinance limits the additional $200 monthly to six months. Fabrizio now earns about $3,562 monthly.