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GIRARD -Jim Pallone, who has served for the past 35 years in the city’s water, wastewater and street departments, will put that experience to good use as the city’s new safety/service director.
Mayor Mark Zuppo announced at Monday’s city council meeting that he has named Pallone to replace Glenn Holmes, who left the position earlier this month.
Pallone, who started Oct. 19 and attended his first council meeting Monday, said his background and experience with the city for 35 years will prepare him for the many duties of the safety/service director.
“I just transitioned to this position with the city. I am familiar with those departments since have worked for them,” he said.
Pallone said he will focus on cleaning up parts of the city and get work done on catch basins and sanitary lines. Zuppo said Pallone brings a wealth of knowledge to the position.
“He is bringing 35 years of experience to this position. In the past six days, he has done a great job,” Zuppo said.
In other business, Council President Reynald Paolone broke a 3-3 tie vote on a resolution to express to the Trump administration the need to stop overfunding the military and provide instead for the basic needs of individuals. It was supported by council members Lily Martuccio, who was the sponsor, Tod Latell and Wes Steiner, while voting against were council member Keith Schubert, John Moliterno and James Clark.
Schubert said he voted against it because he comes from a military family. Paolone cast a “yes” to break the tie and the resolution passed 4-3.
WELLMAN THEATER
Latell, D, at Large, said the Wellman Theater will have work done on it before the end of the year to use nearly $70,000 in American Rescue Plan funds. Pallone said contractors are in place to begin work at the front facade of the building, where some demolition of the stone wall will take place. He said there also will be demolition work done inside the building.
City Engineer Zachary Teter said Trumbull Neighborhood Partnership also will be involved in the demolition of the alleyway at the theater.
“It’s great that people will be able to see the work being done at the theater,” Moliterno, D-3rd Ward, said.
Teter also reported zoning inspectors have checked the downtown area and have issued 93 zoning violations between the viaduct and U.S. Route 422 in 2026 so far.
Zuppo said a 125-foot long mural will be painted on both sides of East Liberty Street in the area of Cafe Olgun and the former Five and Dime. It will include various images and renderings of the city, including the Barnhisel House, former city building and the former swimming pool at Liberty Memorial Park.
MOUNTAIN BIKE TRAIL
Latell reported that Mark Allen, a bike trail administrator, will be speaking at a two-day workshop Dec. 11 and 12 at the Lake Milton Fire Department om mountain bike trails. Girard officials are checking to see if the Girard Lower Lake property would be ideal for this.
Latell said River Belt Revival will look at the property to see if it would even be possible for the mountain bike trail to be there. He said plans are to form a committee of residents and city officials to review the mountain bike trail.
FINANCES
Auditor Julie Coggins reported that as of the end of September, the street fund is doing well and increased income tax collections will help the city with the 2027 street paving program. She said the water fund collected $740,000 in September.
“I am very happy with the direction we are headed. We are going in the right direction with the water fund and other funds,” Coggins said.
She said income tax collections are up $600,000 as of the end of September compared to the same time last year.
“That is a big jump that will help the city,” Moliterno said.
The traffic camera revenue has been less this year than past years, with $260,771 collected so far this year, which is $270,000 less than 2025, $740,000 less than 2024 and $1 million less than 2023.
Coggins said the speed camera money has helped with street paving, getting items for the police department and capital improvements.
She said the Green Leaf dispensary has provided $112,000 in income tax to the city since end of September. Zuppo said he has been informed the Green Leaf dispensary is among the top performing dispensaries in the state.