GIRARD Official decides to step down from his seat on city council

The councilman decided to resign based on the recommendation of his doctor.
By TIM YOVICH
VINDCATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
GIRARD -- Councilman Joseph Manente has resigned from city council.
Manente, a Democrat, stepped down from his at-large seat effective immediately in a letter to council president Louis Adovasio, who read it at Monday's council meeting.
Adovasio said he received Manente's letter earlier Monday and was surprised by it. Manente said he resigned at the direction of his physician.
Councilwoman Kathleen O'Connell Sauline, D-2nd, said she was encouraged that Manente "decided to put his health first."
Involvement: Manente, who was in his fifth year on council, was chairman of council's streets and sidewalks committee and served on council's sewer, building and grounds, and employee welfare committees.
The Trumbull County Democratic Party will call a meeting of precinct committeemen to name a replacement.
In another matter, council has called a special meeting for 8 tonight to approve this year's budget.
Sauline, chairman of council's finance committee, said she wants the budget to be passed before the Thursday meeting of the city's planner and supervision commission.
The oversight commission was appointed to direct the city out of fiscal emergency imposed Aug. 8 by the state auditor.
Lacked votes: Council could not pass the $4.35 million budget Monday because it lacked the six votes required to suspend three readings of the legislation. Manente had resigned and Councilman Renny Paolone, D-1st, was absent.
Although the annual appropriation is balanced, Sauline said the city will not be paying down on a $1.65 million general fund deficit until 2003.
She said the city's financial woes are not resolved simply by balancing the budget.
Issue 2 project funds: In other business, Mayor James J. Melfi said funds for two Issue 2 projects that benefit the city will be available the second half of this year.
The county has received a $3.2 million grant to construct sanitary sewers along Shannon Road in Liberty Township.
The sewer line is needed because sewage from malfunctioning residential septic systems along Shannon makes its way along creeks into Girard neighborhoods and Tod Park Pond. The pond has been closed because it's polluted.
Melfi said the city's share of the project is $5,000.
The city will also receive $160,000 to replace 50 fire hydrants, some of which aren't working. The city's share of that project is nearly $30,000.