Layoffs in Youngstown building department means service cut

YOUNGSTOWN — Layoffs in the city’s building department mean that beginning next week that office will be open to the public only two days a week.

The department handles thousands of permits annually from major construction jobs to garages, fences and roofs on houses, said Charles T. Shasho, the city’s deputy director of public works, who oversees the building department.

The change will adversely impact homeowners more than contractors and architects, Shasho said.

That’s because the professionals are aware of the change — through a letter the city is sending to those who do contracting and architectural work in Youngstown — and will adjust their visits to the department on the 5th floor of City Hall accordingly, Shasho said.

But a homeowner might not be aware of the reduction in days and possibly come to city hall when the department is closed unless they read or hear about it from the local media, Shasho said.

Instead of being open 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, the building department’s hours, effective next week, will be 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday only.

Among the 18 city workers recently laid off were two building department employees. The layoffs reduced the number of building department workers from four to two.

For the complete story, read Friday’s Vindicator and Vindy.com