Boardman police chief awaits vacation decision

t an annual salary of $103,709, the payment would be about $5,170.

By Denise Dick

BOARDMAN — Police Chief Patrick Berarducci will remain in office while he awaits a decision about his remaining vacation time.

Berarducci, chief since February 2007, had initially planned to start his job as Medina police chief Monday.

He said he had planned to carry his remaining vacation time from the township — about 13 days — to his new job. “We found out that I couldn’t bring vacation time over without it going before [Medina] city council,” Berarducci said.

The council is on recess until Aug. 24, he said.

He’s hoping to be paid by the township for the remaining vacation time. At an annual salary of $103,709, the payment would be about $5,170.

Administrator Jason Loree, however, said the township has a policy of “use it or lose it” for department heads’ vacation.

If the township says he can’t receive payment for his remaining vacation time, he’ll remain in office to use that up, Berarducci said. That will also enable the department to avoid overtime shifts caused by vacations and one officer’s injury, the chief said.

He took a vacation day Monday.

Capt. Jack Nichols will cover shifts in patrol with Berarducci covering the office, the chief said.

Nichols will oversee the department after Berarducci leaves, but no decisions have been made about how to fill the position long term.

Trustees haven’t met since Berarducci announced he accepted the Medina job.

Trustee Kathy Miller hopes trustees appoint Nichols permanently.

“At this point in time, I believe Capt. Nichols is the best choice for the community to maintain the level of service they’ve come to expect,” she said.

Nichols knows the department, the township’s financial condition and the department’s labor contracts, Miller said.

“I think he’s very conscientious about his job,” she said.

Nichols said that he would consider the chief’s job if it were offered.

Trustee Robyn Gallitto said she wouldn’t be opposed to Nichols as chief.

“In the interim, Jack [Nichols] is the logical successor,” she said. “In the long-term, it would depend on first whether Jack wants it and also whether now is the time for Boardman, in working with its employees, to look at restructuring.”

She referred to the creation of a safety-service director position, to replace both the police and fire chief when the sitting fire chief retires.

Larry Moliterno, trustees chairman, said he wants to see a process to fill the position, similar to the last time the chief spot was open. Like Gallitto, he said, it may be the time to consider restructuring.

The process to fill the chief slot — from receiving applications, conducting interviews, etc. — can take several months, Moliterno said.

Former Chief Jeffrey Patterson left in July 2006 and Berarducci started the job the following February.

It’s also important to be mindful, Moliterno said, that the majority of the trustees’ board — Miller and Gallitto — is running for re-election.

denise_dick@vindy.com