Council lifts ban on open burning

Council reduced the time required to retire for two police officers.
By VIRGINIA ROSS
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
NEW CASTLE, Pa. -- The city has lifted its ban on open burning.
City council amended the city's fire-prevention code Thursday to allow residents to burn paper or cardboard, providing they live in single-family dwellings or duplexes.
Burning is limited to Saturdays from dawn to 4 p.m.
The amendment allows for open burning with a permit issued by the city treasurer's office. Permits are valid for two years. The cost is $30 for permits issued this year, and $35 and $40 for permits issued in 2007 and 2008, respectively.
The fire chief must approve all burning containers, and only one burning container is permitted at each dwelling or duplex. Violators could face fines of between $250 and $1,000 for the first offense, $500 to $1,000 for the second offense and between $1,000 and $10,000 for the third and subsequent offenses.
Council members previously expressed concerns over lifting the ban. Councilwoman Christine Sands, who voted for the amendment, said she only considered it in an effort to generate revenue for the financially strapped city.
How others voted
Councilwoman Karen DeCarlo and Council President Rob Ratkovich also voted to rescind the ban. Councilmen Will Quimby and Chet Orelli voted against the amendment.
The city banned open burning nearly four years ago. However, officials had discussed lifting the ban several times over the past few years.
In other matters, the city's pension plan has been amended to reduce the service time required to retire by 5 1/2 years for two police officers. The move will cost the city more than $125,000.
Ratkovich, Sands and DeCarlo voted for the change, while Quimby and Orelli voted against it. Supporters said the measure would serve as a one-time retirement incentive for two police department employees, but officials would not identify them.
City business manager Tammi Gibson said the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 21, the city police department's union, requested the change. Pension terms previously specified that police officers must have 25 years of service to be eligible for retirement. The amendment reduces service time to 19 1/2 years.
The two officers would have until June 30 to accept the early-retirement plan.
Sewer project
Also on Thursday, council hired Graziani Construction of New Castle to complete the Croton Avenue sewer improvement project. Two companies submitted proposals for the project.
Graziani submitted a $695,050 bid for the work, which is to be paid for with a 2004 sewer bond issue. Utility Contracting of Youngstown submitted a bid of $695,541.