Panel to insist on on revision of Niles recovery plan

NILES — Members of the commission overseeing the city’s finances say they won’t reject Niles’ financial recovery plan, but they will insist upon its revision in the wake of council’s decision to reject one of its money-saving items.

By a 4-3 vote, council rejected elimination of three lieutenant positions in the fire department through attrition. Mayor Ralph Infante had projected the savings at $27,000.

“It does not have to be a major revision, but they’ll have to come up with something that fills the hole they just made,” said Sharon Hanrahan, the current commission chairman who is being reassigned by the state. “I don’t see how council can [unanimously] vote for the plan and then do this.

“I don’t think there’s an understanding yet of how serious this is,” she told The Vindicator. Niles has been in fiscal emergency since a state auditor declaration last October.

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