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Girard
WHAT: City Council meeting April 24
PRESENT: Reynald Paolone, Steve Brooks, Lily Martuccio, John Moliterno, Joseph Shelby, Keith Schubert, Thomas Grumley and Mayor James Melfi
ABSENT: Mark Standohar
Council:
l Heard from resident Richard DeSalvo of Shannon Road concerned about a planned 11 percent increase in water rates that are higher for Girard residents than McDonald and Niles, which provide water to the city. He said Girard will pay $12.28 per 1,000 gallons, which is triple what Niles pays at $3.43 per 1,000 gallons and more than double what McDonald pays at $5 per 1,000 gallons. Officials said McDonald, Niles and Youngstown are part of the Mahoning Valley Sanitary District, which provides water to Girard and costs are being placed on the city;
l Approved placing a renewal of a five-year, 1.8-mill senior services levy on the November general election ballot. The levy was first passed in 2006 and generates $189,700 for senior services and facilities at the Girard Multi-Generational Center off Trumbull Avenue;
l Heard from Melfi that although he has no problem with a study being done on the positives and negatives of possibly merging Girard and Liberty fire departments, he noted the fire department has provided excellent service. Girard council has taken no official action on the study;
l Requested legislation be prepared to increase the revolving loan fund from $40,000 to $75,000 to help with downtown revitalization for businesses;
l Reported Daffin's Candy off West Liberty Street will close Saturday after being in the city for the past 14 years. The location was previously Costello's Candy Store;
l Heard from Melfi of increased zoning violations of uncut grass and trash cans laying at curbside for more than a week. Each councilmember received a list of violations in their ward;
l Heard from Melfi the Girard Credit Union has expressed interest in moving inside the municipal building at $100 per month;
l Approved the Girard Baseball Association submitting a proposal for the construction of a batting cage facility for Tod Park;
l Approved advertising for bids for the repair of the roof at the street department garage;
l Scheduled caucus 6:30 p.m. May 22 to discuss finances. Melfi said as mayor he will not let the city go back into fiscal emergency.
-- Bob Coupland
WHAT: Board of Education meeting April 26
PRESENT: Mark Zuppo, Cheryl Asente, Diane Alejars, Joseph Melfi and Pete Cardiero
The board:
l Approved seeking qualifications for architectural services for the proposed Performing Arts Center to be constructed at the high school / junior high building off Shannon Road. Zuppo said the district is proceeding with plans for an auditorium for the school since the current cafetorium, where there is a stage for programs, is limited in space for housing grades seventh to 12th at the same time. Qualifications will be sought for 30 days for the project;
l Hired Jacqueline Toth as assistant treasurer effective July 1 on a one-year contract at $166 per day for 260 days. She also will work June 1 to 30 to become familiar with the position;
l Approved three-year contracts for Craig Hannon, head boys varsity basketball coach; Andy Saxon, head girls varsity basketball coach; and Patrick Rhodes as boys golf coach, which is a new position;
l Approved the Success By Six program July 10 to 28 for Prospect Elementary School, where children are prepared for entering kindergarten. The United Way of Trumbull County provides support for the program.
-- Bob Coupland
McDonald
WHAT: Board of Education meeting April 26
PRESENT: John Saganich, Wendy Higgins, Thomas Hannon and Catherine Harvey
ABSENT: Jody Klase
The board:
l Heard from Saganich that soil testing is being done on a 35-acre property off McDonald Avenue Extension and Olive Street between Second and Third streets, which is being considered for the site of a $3 million athletic complex. The board previously approved a $9,500 agreement with CTL Engineering Inc. of Canton for surveying and testing services on the land. The environmental testing and surveying needs done to determine if the property is suitable for the complex. Last month, the board approved seeking proposals for professional design services from architectural firms for the facility. Several firms made presentations to the board. The complex would include a football stadium, all-weather track, fitness center, restrooms and a concession stand;
l Heard from Hannon of the need to form a citizens' committee that can be involved with the planning process for the athletic complex. Board members said forming the committee is contingent on the acquisition of the land if the surveying and testing find it suitable for construction there;
l Is continuing its search for a school superintendent. Saganich said the board began interviewing the 25 applicants who applied for the position. He said a special meeting will be held in the upcoming weeks for the board to make a decision. Superintendent Robert Rostan will retire this summer;
l Approved the eighth-grade field trip to Washington, D.C. Sunday to Tuesday led by middle school teacher Chuck Mooney;
l Approved an agreement for use of Woodland Park pavilion for elementary school class picnics and the high school senior class picnic in May;
l Approved the girls basketball camp May 30 and June 1 for grades kindergarten to fifth at $30 per student through the school booster program;
l Heard from Rostan a survey was done of teachers on their long-term technology needs and concerns. He said JPS Consultants are evaluating the technology and talks also have been held with the Trumbull County Educational Service Center on a possible technology administrator;
l Heard from Rostan of the need to get a new or used school bus in place by August. He said the district will work through the TCESC purchasing consortium. Rostan said new buses cost $85,000;
l Increased work days for the head cook from 196 to 202 days because of additional work. Also adjusted was the hours of one assistant cook from four to six hours because of the breakfast program and reducing another assistant, who is only needed during lunch, from three to two hours per day;
l Announced the high school art show May 11 and 12 at the school.
-- Bob Coupland