NEW MIDDLETOWN Council OKs insurance pact for employees

Four employees receive coverage from the village.
BY MARY GRZEBIENIAK
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
NEW MIDDLETOWN -- The village will pay $282 more per month for hospitalization insurance for its four full-time employees.
Council approved Monday a contract with the Rizer Group, North Lima, for Anthem insurance coverage costing $2,971 per month. Richard DeBucci abstained from voting, saying he has a business affiliation with the Rizer Group.
Mayor Robert Carson said the option chosen by council is the closest available to the employees' current coverage. One difference is that employees will have $20,000 life insurance instead of $15,000.
A meeting will be set with employees to explain the new plan. The village provides health insurance to three police officers and the clerk of courts.
Why new coverage?
Council was forced to seek new insurance coverage after being informed by Mahoning County officials that township, village and airport employees are no longer be eligible to take part in the county's insurance plan.
Council also approved joining the Youngtown/Warren Regional Chamber for $185 per year to take advantage of a 3-percent reduction in the insurance cost because Rizer Group is a member.
Also Monday, council approved purchase of a 1998 Ford Crown Victoria from the Poland Township Police Department.
Police Chief William Morvay said the vehicle is needed as a backup to the department's other three vehicles and has a little more than 100,000 miles.
Council also approved a $53 monthly contract with Cellular One to activate a computer modem in one of the village cruisers $1,200 to fit the new firetruck with equipment shelving.
Council member Dan Santangelo said he is going door-to-door this week to survey residents on East Middletown Road about a new sewer line in preparation for submitting a grant application Friday.