WARREN Building official to quit Sept. 20

The city temporarily switched the building official and inspector positions last month.
By DENISE DICK
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
WARREN -- The city's building official, who had temporarily been named the building inspector, has resigned, effective Sept. 20.
Mayor Hank Angelo said Wayne DaBelko, formerly the city's building official, turned in his resignation this morning. DaBelko failed the third part of the test to get his building official license. He took the test Tuesday.
Angelo said the Sept. 20 date was worked out to enable DaBelko to finish the projects he's working on.
Last month, the city switched the positions of DaBelko and Chris Taneyhill, building inspector. The change temporarily put DaBelko in the building inspector slot and Taneyhill as building official.
DaBelko had previously passed two parts of the required test from the Building Officials and Code Administrators but failed the third part.
The city's union had said it planned to file a grievance about the swap.
The change also meant a change in pay. An inspector earns $16.25 per hour, and the building official earns $20.21.
Last month, city officials said that if DaBelko didn't pass the test this week, they would have to decide whether to make the change permanent or to terminate DaBelko's employment.
The mayor said the building department is staffed with the required personnel under state law. Taneyhill has the required certification for a building inspector and a temporary certificate for a building official. The temporary certification is effective through September 2003.
Angelo said the building official position would be posted.
What happened
Before making the position swap, the city extended DaBelko's probationary period to this month, allowing him another try at the test. DaBelko was hired April 2, 2001. In April 2002, DaBelko's probationary period was extended to Aug. 9.
DaBelko's residency also has been a sore subject with union members. He lives in Fowler Township. After passing probation, an employee has six months to move into the city.
A residency requirement passed by city council in 1991 says any city employee hired after that date is subject to a six-month probationary period.
Angelo said Taneyhill presented verification this week of residency in the city.
The city had suspended DaBelko in January for five days for failing to maintain a valid driver's license, a requirement of the job, because of a DUI charge pending in Trumbull County Central District Court.
The case had been set for trial Sept. 18, but DaBelko pleaded no contest and was convicted Sept. 4 of a reduced charge of reckless operation. He was ordered to pay a $150 fine and costs and to serve a year on nonreporting probation, court officials said.