LORDSTOWN Council takes action

Nothing in the proposed contracts is etched in stone, one councilman said.
By SHERRI L. SHAULIS
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
LORDSTOWN -- Despite the introduction of several ordinances relating to contracts for village employees, there is still plenty of work to be done.
Council agreed to meet for a work session at 4 p.m. Wednesday to further discuss legislation that would extend the contract for the village's 30-plus employees for another three years.
The contract for the nonunion employees expires Dec. 31.
Several pieces of legislation, however, were given their first reading at Monday's meeting, which confused some of the employees.
Frustration
"It was my understanding that we were still in negotiations," said David Harrison, a 20-year employee of the village's street department.
Harrison, who said he only found out Monday afternoon council planned to introduce the legislation that evening, expressed his frustration that employees were not notified of the ordinances.
As written, the legislation would take effect Jan. 1 and give employees a 4 percent raise the first and second years and a 3 percent raise the third year, said Councilman D. James London.
"We are basically offering that to everyone across the board," he said.
Employees affected include those in the planning and zoning office, the treasurer's office, the clerk's office and elsewhere.
Council also is negotiating with union employees in the police and fire departments, London said.
Some of the ordinances also address increasing the pay for some elected officials, including council clerk and mayor.
There are no recommendations for council members to receive any increases, London said.
London and Councilman William Dray said even though the legislation received the first of three readings at the meeting, changes will be made.
"This is not etched in stone yet," London said.
Dray added that corrections will need to be addressed and figures could still be changed before the issues are voted on by council at its Dec. 16 meeting.
Introduction of the ordinances was deemed necessary because of time constraints, he said, adding that most of the other contracts also expire at the end of the year.
slshaulis@vindy.com