NEW CASTLE, PA. Council appoints a new solicitor

NEW CASTLE, Pa. -- The city's search for a new solicitor is over.
Paula Cialella was appointed to the post Thursday by city council. She will be paid $51,305 annually.
Cialella is a New Castle resident who practices law in the Central Building on South Mercer Street.
"I have lived away from the city, and I have moved back. This is a very proud moment for me," Cialella said after being sworn in.
Council also agreed to give some legal work to former city solicitor James Manolis, who held the post for the last eight years. He did not receive the mayor's appointment this year.
Mayor Wayne Alexander said he did recommend that Manolis continue representing the city in a land-dispute lawsuit brought by Robert McGaffic against the city. Alexander said Manolis was able to lower a judgment against the city in that case, and he expects Manolis to handle any appeals and other matters involving McGaffic.
A few weeks ago, council approved paying Manolis about $29,000 for any legal work done for the city.
Council members had also intended to give Manolis six other pending legal cases as well as matters involving downtown revitalization and citywide rezoning, but took those matters off the agenda at the beginning of Thursday night's meeting.
Alexander said council decided in executive session to let Cialella go over the cases and see if she feels comfortable handling them.
Council did agree that Manolis' law firm, Verterano and Manolis, could act as special legal council for any matters deemed appropriate by city council.
In other business, the city accepted a $15,000 grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development for pre-emption traffic-light controls.
The device is used by emergency vehicles to turn traffic signals green when police or fire vehicles are passing through intersections.
City council also awarded two bids for house demolitions.
Siegel Excavating of Edinburg was hired for $5,000 to raze 12 vacant houses on West Wabash Avenue. Duane C. Hambrick Company of New Castle was hired for $5,500 to raze 12 vacant houses on Mills Way.
City council approved two fa & ccedil;ade improvement grants. Marc and John Camianos Jr. got $20,000 to improve buildings at 8, 10, 12 and 14 E. Washington St. Sara Maul and Terri Fulkerson got $30,000 to improve the front of 20 and 22 E. Washington St.