WARREN Council mulls lifting residency requisite

The city was sued over residency laws by workers' unions.
BY AMANDA GARRETT
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
WARREN -- City council is considering legislation to expand the geographic area where nonelected city employees and officials can live.
The measure would allow the workers to live anywhere in Trumbull or any adjoining counties.
Co-sponsored by Gary Fonce and Robert L. Dean Jr., both D-at large, and introduced at council's meeting Wednesday, the ordinance would bring the city into compliance with a state law passed May 1 that lifts residency requirements for municipal employees.
It also would clarify the issue for the city's workers unions.
Earlier this month, the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Local 74 and Warren Management Association sued the city in Trumbull County Common Pleas Court, asking the court to declare Warren's residency law invalid.
The current law requires all employees to be city residents.
No discussion took place on the ordinance, but Fonce will hold a caucus at 2 p.m. next Thursday to discuss it.
Other items
Also on that agenda will be a noise ordinance that could land residents in jail for playing music or television too loudly.
The new ordinance will beef up the city's current ordinance by increasing the penalties, said Dean, who co-sponsored the legislation with Councilman Vincent S. Flask, D-5th.
Current legislation orders only a fine for people found guilty of violating the noise ordinance.
Under the new law, anyone committing a third violation will also face a minimum of three days or a maximum of 30 days in jail. Also, any sound device used to violate the ordinance will be subject to seizure by police.
Violators will be charged with a separate offense each day the noise continues, according to the legislation.
Many residents spoke in favor of the new noise ordinance.
"These noisy, belligerent people don't have any respect for their neighbors," the Rev. Alton Merrell said, referring to drivers whose cars emit loud music. "It's time that these perpetrators understand the law has severe consequences."
The ordinance will not apply to school-related activities or concerts and events sponsored by the city, according to the legislation.
In other business, council approved an ordinance to allow the city to enter into a contract with a qualified medical service provider to give biannual exams to firefighters involved in hazardous materials operations.
The ordinance would also require firefighters to be examined after exposure to hazardous materials.
agarrett@vindy.com