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NILES -- The Niles city prosecutor became the interim law director March 1.
J. Terrence Dull resigned from the position effective March 1 after citing health concerns in December.
Terry Swauger, the city's prosecutor, is acting interim law director. Both positions are part time.
Because the city's law director is elected by voters, the Niles Democratic Central Committee will meet to appoint a new director before 45 days have passed since Dull's resignation. Swauger said he intends on submitting a letter of intent to the Trumbull County Democratic Party for consideration for the appointment. The appointee will serve out the remainder of Dull's term, through 2019.
Dull was first appointed to the position in 1987 and was re-elected to a seventh term in November 2015 after running unopposed. He was earning about $20.91 an hour, as will Swauger, who earns about $31 an hour as prosecutor, according to documents from the city auditor's office.
Swauger said he was in a good position to take over the responsibilities because he has been working for the city for about 10 years.
"I can step in easily and make the transition as smooth as possible for the city, which is especially important because of the city's position in fiscal emergency," Swauger said.
Mayor Tom Scarnecchia said Dull was ready to retire and will be missed by the city.
While he believes the new faces in his administration will do well -- the city also has a new safety director and a new service director -- Scarnecchia said he will reserve judgment until he sees how the new appointments perform.
Swauger is one of four Democrats running to fill the position of Niles Municipal Court judge. Chris Shaker, John Gargano and Gil Blair are also vying for a May 2 primary win.
In other business, council:
∫ Approved an ordinance creating the part-time police secretary position for $11.50 an hour, which replaced a clerk position paid $9.60 an hour;
∫ Authorized the purchase of a backhoe and traffic lights through the state purchasing program;
∫ Authorized the safety director to enter into mutual aid agreements with Mahoning and Trumbull county law enforcement agencies;
∫ Resolved the mayor could contract with Phillips Sekanick Architects Inc. for a study of the city's buildings;
∫ Authorized the service director to issue a request for proposals for the administration and management of the 2017 Community Housing Impact and Preservation Program;
∫ Resolved two vacant meter reader positions are necessary and can be filled.