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Niles Times

Niles to seek smaller levy in May

NILES — The Niles City School District will seek a smaller levy in May and look to cut jobs as a way to address looming budget deficits and state-designated fiscal caution status. The board on Dec. 19 approved a fiscal caution plan that will be submitted to the state by the end of the month. A copy of that plan was not immediately available, but Superintendent Ann Marie Thigpen highlighted the details. The district likely will seek a 5.8-mill levy that would generate about $1.3 million and cost the owner of a $100,000 home approximately $210 in additional annual taxes, Thigpen ...

Board approves Weathersfield land transfer

WEATHERSFIELD — The Weathersfield Board of Education approved Dec. 20 the transfer of a piece of district property to the township. The township, which is seeking funds from the 2018 state capital budget for a proposed $500,000 community center, already has made a number of improvements to the land along state Route 46 that once housed Mineral Ridge Middle School, including construction of a gazebo through grant funds. The district previously granted the township a small portion of the parcel to accommodate the gazebo and an entrance, but had retained ownership of the rest of the ...

Girard approves contracts for leaders

GIRARD — The Board of Education has approved new five-year contracts for the school superintendent and treasurer that include a 2.5 percent pay increase each year. The board at their meeting Dec. 20 granted the new contracts, which are effective Aug. 1, 2018 to July 31, 2023. Superintendent David Cappuzzello, who has been with the district seven years, is paid $112,750. Treasurer Mark Bello, who has been with the district for 24 years, is paid $107,000. Board President Mark Zuppo said both administrators have done a lot for the district and scored well on evaluations done by the ...

Councilman retiring after 38 years

NILES — At-Large Councilman Stephen Papalas has kept a meticulous record of his nearly 38 years on Niles City Council, with file folders containing newspaper clippings and various paperwork for every election year dating back to 1979, when he was first elected. Earlier this month, Papalas took out some of those file folders and looked back on his time in city government. Papalas, 66, who never lost an election and served under five mayors, announced in July he wouldn’t run for council again, a decision he made after learning Council President Bob Marino wouldn’t seek re-election. ...

Niles finances looking positive

NILES — City finances are in the black with a projected general fund balance of more than $2 million heading into 2018. That was the highlight of a Financial Planning and Supervision Commission meeting Dec. 19. Timothy Lintner, a project manager with the state auditor’s office, said Niles began the year with a general fund balance of just under $400,000 and through November the fund is just under $2.5 million. The water fund still needs to repay more than $900,000 to the general fund, Lintner said, which when made would put the balance over $3.4 million. Enterprise funds, ...

Schools get new treasurer

NILES — The Niles City School District will have a new treasurer in the new year. The Board of Education approved hiring Lori Hudzik, 51, of Niles. She is a former Board of Education member who owns an insurance company and also has a background in education, human resources and accounting, according to her resume. Board Vice President Tony Perrone voted against Hudzik’s hiring and did not return a call seeking comment. Hudzik, who has a contract through July 2020, will take the place of treasurer Linda Molinaro, who worked in the district for 18 years. Hudzik will earn $75,000 ...