NILES To save money, city reassigns sewage official's duties

There were no responses to the city's ads searching for an operator.
By SHERRI L. SHAULIS
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
NILES -- Abolishing the position of sewage superintendent and reassigning the duties will save the city about $38,000 each year.
When Barney D'Onadio retired last month as superintendent of the sewage treatment plant, ads were placed searching for a replacement with a Class IV operator license, but there were no replies, said Mayor Ralph A. Infante.
Randy Fabrizio, water department supervisor, has the needed license, so it made sense to combine the positions, Infante said.
Fabrizio performed the work when D'Onadio was working to earn his Class IV license, receiving additional pay of $200 per month.
"The time to consolidate is the time when somebody retires," the mayor said.
First reading
Council gave first reading Wednesday to legislation that would combine the duties, as well as increase Fabrizio's salary.
Under the ordinance, sewage plant supervision would be reassigned to Fabrizio, and some of his current duties would be given to the water department foreman.
The legislation will also increase the salaries of the two remaining positions; the superintendent of water and sewage will receive $5,138 monthly, while the water department foreman will earn $3,735 a month.
Even with the pay raises, the city will save money in salary and health benefits of the abolished position.
Council also agreed to bring in legislation at its next meeting to cover the salary of a police officer serving in the military.
Infante said Officer John Marhulik is stationed overseas, but receives $250 in pay from the military. He said city officials were unable to find any legislation on record that allows the city to make up the difference, and asked council to consider a measure.
Infante said Marhulik's medical benefits are covered through the military while he is on active duty, and added the city does have provisions to cover salary differences for military reserve personnel in the city who miss work for their annual two-week training missions.
Law Director Terry Dull said state law allows flexibility in such cases.
slshaulis@vindy.com