Niles council approves HVAC bid, splits on recall of part-timer

NILES

Niles City Council on Thursday unanimously approved a bid to replace city hall’s heating and ventilation system that turned out to be $120,000 less than expected — a major break for its beleaguered finances.

Council accepted a bid of more than $63,000 from York-Mahoning Mechanical Contractors to replace the system. Previously, the only other company making an offer indicated it could not complete the project for less than $192,000. At that time, York-Mahoning had yet to bid, and council worried it would have no choice but to pay the higher figure.

Council, however, split over the recall of a part-time secretary for the police department, but not because of the cost. Linda Marchese, D-3rd, said she received an email from the local union complaining about the part-time recall because a full-time custodian in the department remains furloughed. Acting Chief Jay Holland said without the secretary, there will be no one to provide reports to the public, administer the city’s new impound lot or work on payroll.

A full-time secretary is on sick leave.

“We’re running a business here, and if we don’t have someone in a clerical function, we can’t operate,” Holland told council. “You can’t justify spending money on a captain to sit with the records.

“What do I tell the public?” Holland asked.

Read what happened in Friday's Vindicator or on VIndy.com.