Board doubles rent for Wick pavilion

The park board learned it soon could lose two of its members.
By ROGER G. SMITH
CITY HALL REPORTER
YOUNGSTOWN -- Park board members have reviewed all the fees charged to rent city facilities but changed just one.
The board voted Friday to double the rent for Wick Park Pavilion in 2002, from $50 to $100.
New air conditioning, a commercial stove, 10 tables and 100 chairs, and a sidewalk all were installed recently.
The department needs to cover expected increases in utility costs, board members said. The higher fee remains affordable compared to rents for other such facilities in the area, they said. The $50 fee has been a bargain, they said. The pavilion is popular, rented virtually every Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
Members talked about increasing fees for other pavilions and the golf course to cover recent improvements, such as a $150,000 automatic sprinkler system to be installed soon. They decided to consider any other fee increases later.
Losing members: The park board also learned it soon could lose two of its five members.
Christopher J. Vitello said Friday he will be moving to Liberty in the next few weeks and will resign his seat the day he does.
William M. Carter was planning to resign in December because of a developing conflict of interest.
The agency he directs will monitor compliance with the park board's new minority hiring program. Carter had pushed the park board to adopt the minority hiring program, which the city also uses.
Carter said Friday he now may wait until late January to resign so appointments can be made. That would avoid the board being left with the bare minimum of members needed to act, he said.
City council appoints to Carter's seat. Mayor George M. McKelvey appoints to Vitello's seat.
rgsmith@vindy.com