GIRARD Beautification panel targets State Street

A committee is seeking funds for residential-type lampposts on State Street.
By TIM YOVICH
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
GIRARD -- A local businessman has initiated a program to help improve the appearance of State Street.
Mayor James A. Melfi told city council Monday that John A. Simeone, owner of Western Reserve Realty, has created the Girard Beautification Committee.
The committee is soliciting business owners for donations to install 28 residential-type lampposts along State Street (U.S. Route 422) rather than commercial-type lighting.
Melfi said the lights cost between $600 and $900 each and $35,000 is needed to complete the project.
Melfi said he is encouraged to see business owners interested in highway lighting.
No resolution
Also concerning State Street, Melfi and Service Director Frank Rich said there has been no resolution to eliminating 18 poles SBC erected along North State Street about three weeks ago.
The communications company installed the poles, although utilities lines are supposed to go underground with the widening of the roadway.
Melfi said SBC wants the city to pay between $300 and $700 to estimate the cost of eliminating the poles.
"They want us to pay to give an estimate. I find that ironic," the mayor asserted.
Rich explained that eliminating the poles can be done by moving them behind businesses along North State. However, SBC wants the cost paid before any work is done.
Council moved to a second reading a three-month temporary appropriation for 2004 recommended by Auditor Sam Zirafi.
Zirafi said the $1 million general fund budget represents 25 percent of the city's anticipated revenue and is based on this year's expenses.
Transfer of funds
Council approved transferring $61,968 from the street permissive fund to the general fund to make four payments on the city's loan to bury the utility lines.
A dissenting vote was cast by Councilwoman Kathleen O'Connell Sauline, D-2nd, chairman of council's finance committee.
Sauline argued the $61,968 won't be available next year for street work.
Councilmen Joseph Lambert and Joseph Christopher, both D-at-large, said the street fund will have a positive balance and the city is expected to receive additional funds for street work.
Lambert and Christopher agreed with Melfi the loan should have been paid from the street fund from the beginning. Sauline argued the move is another example of the city transferring money to prop up the general fund which is ailing because of overspending.
yovich@vindy.com