GIRARD 'Chronic slobs' irk mayor; Melfi vows to take action

The fire chief says a problem with the Trumbull Hill tornado siren will be fixed.
By TIM YOVICH
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
GIRARD -- Mayor James J. Melfi is frustrated with what he calls "chronic slobs."
Without being specific about what action he will take, Melfi told city council Monday he's tired of homeowners who aren't taking care of their property.
"Quite frankly, I'm disgusted with it," the mayor said, noting the owners do "absolutely nothing" to keep their yards mowed and junk picked up.
"These are ridiculous situations. We're coming after you. We're not going to allow this to happen," he said.
The mayor realizes older residents may have difficulty maintaining their homes and he called on neighbors and organizations to help them out.
Rental properties
Councilwoman Kathleen O'Connell Sauline, D- 2nd, pointed out that rental properties aren't being maintained either.
She called attention to one property owner whose home was once valued at $80,000 that can now be insured for only $25,000 because of rentals not being maintained in the neighborhood.
Charles Doran, D-4th, agreed with Sauline, and John Moliterno, D-at large, said he is looking forward to a meeting with the city board of health to help resolve the problem.
Fire Chief Kenneth Bornemiss reported he will be meeting with the manufacturer of the city tornado sirens because one is sounding spontaneously.
Bornemiss told lawmakers the city has sirens at the cemetery, the high school and on Trumbull Hill.
The Trumbull Hill siren sounds for no reason at all hours, while the other two remain silent.
The problem siren must be disconnected by the fire department to silence it, the chief explained, noting it will not take long to resolve the problem.
Block grant ideas
Joseph Christopher, D-at large, suggested he would like to see some community development block grant money given to the Barnhisel House, Girard Multi-generational Center and the high school robotics team.
Moliterno said CDBG funds can be directed at only three projects and some of the $68,000 the city will receive this year will be going toward street resurfacing.
The Barnhisel House is owned by Girard Historical Society, and volunteers have been working for two years to restore it.
The robotics team lost its major sponsor, and the team depends on fund-raising events and donations to keep it in competition.
yovich@vindy.com