Struthers reaches tentative pact with police union

By SARAH LEHR

slehr@vindy.com

STRUTHERS

The city has reached a tentative contract agreement with the local chapter of the Fraternal Order of Police.

The three-year contract, which is awaiting city council approval, includes base pay raises for patrolmen of 2 percent in 2017, another 2 percent in 2018 and 1 percent in 2019.

The police department employs 11 patrolmen who earn between $17 and $21 an hour.

In other business Wednesday night, council approved a little more than $3.5 million in temporary appropriations to cover city operations and payroll the first three months of 2017.

Additionally, Mayor Terry Stocker will apply for a grant worth about $3 million from the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency for the removal of a dam on the Mahoning River.

Removing the dam and associated sediment would free up the water’s flow, which would be beneficial for wildlife and water-sports tourism.

Struthers has applied for grants to remove the dam at several points in the past and has been denied each time.

The mayor also will apply for a 10-percent matching fund grant from the Ohio EPA for litter cleanup. The grant, which is not to exceed $5,000, would extend from July 1, 2017, to June 30, 2018.

The Struthers City Council Utilities Commission will meet at 6:15 p.m. next Wednesday to discuss electric and gas rates. A 6:30 p.m. finance and legislation meeting will follow.