Firefighters get raises in three-year contract

Lawmakers amend 3rd Ward zoning to decrease population density.
By TIM YOVICH
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
NILES -- City council has approved firefighter pay raises of 2.75 percent per year in each of three years, retroactive to Jan. 1.
Lawmakers took the action Wednesday after the 30-member union, International Association of Firefighters Local 320, ratified the contract in voting this week.
By the third year of the three-year pact in 2008, firefighters will be paid $49,771 annually; lieutenants, $56,951; and captains, $65,252.
In an effort to reduce health costs, firefighters will begin paying a part of their health insurance. Beginning in 2007, they will pay $25 per month toward their coverage. They currently don't contribute to their health care.
A seven-member committee consisting of five union employees, the mayor and auditor will be established.
If the committee meets six times annually to reduce health-care costs and can't get any results, the co-payment will increase to $35 per employee per month.
Changes
Firefighters currently pay $8 for name-brand prescriptions and $5 for generic. Brand prescription cost will increase to $10 effective Jan. 1, 2007, while generic prescriptions will remain the same.
Mayor Ralph A. Infant said medical coverage per firefighter was $950 per month in 2005 and increased to $1,110 per month this year.
Effective this year, a firefighter with less than 25 years of service will be receive six weeks of vacation. Those with 26 years and more are eligible for seven weeks.
Infante said the city is negotiating with union members in the police department who are members of the Ohio Patrolmen's Benevolent Association. The contract with police officers expired Dec. 31.
The contract with the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees representing all other unionized city workers expires next year.
3rd Ward zoning
In other business, council amended the zoning regulations governing the 3rd Ward.
Law Director J. Terrence Dull said the changes comply with the Trumbull County Planning Commission's suggestion to reduce population density.
The ward is dominated by Robbins Avenue, which runs through it. It stretches from near the downtown at state Route 46 east to McKinley Bowling Center near McKinley Heights.
Previously, much of the ward was zoned to allow duplexes. This was changed to permit only single-family dwellings. If a duplex is razed, only a single-family home can replace it.
Also during the meeting, council placed a 90-day moratorium on the construction of group residential developments, or condominiums.
Also, Carmen Vivolo, director of parks and recreation department, said the animal control officer will be enforcing pet laws in parks.
Vivolo said that dogs are required to be leashed and licensed and that their feces must be picked up.
He said dogs are running lose on the baseball and soccer fields, causing a health hazard for players.
Those cited for first-time violations can be fined up to $100 plus court costs and up to $500 and 90 days in jail for subsequent offenses.
yovich@vindy.com