Monday - August 30: Wellsville Village Council met in Special session last evening at Village Hall. Present at the meeting was Mayor Joe Surace and Council Members Susan Haugh, Joe Soldano, Rosie Goss, Randy Allmon & Tony Cataldo. Also in attendance was Village Administrator Jim Saracco, Fiscal Officer Dale Davis, WFD Chief Bill Smith and Zoning Administrator Rick Williams. Councilman John McMahon was excused. He was working. The special meeting was called for Council to vote on three bills plus three ordinances.
The first item was to approve Change Order 1 for the Sewage Treatment Plant Aerobic Digester Conversion Project. The Change Order was originally approved at a Special Meeting on July 20,2010, with an estimated cost of $25,000/$30,000. Last night's vote approved the quote from Pusateri Excavating of $29,897. The change is for removing the old underground emergency generator fuel tanks and replace them with smaller one to be stored above ground, in the plant's garage. Councilman Cataldo remarked that the cost is covered with the grants the Village got for the project. Project Engineer Bill Boyle reported at the July meeting the old tanks would not meet EPA criteria for today's time.
The second item to be approved was an arbitrator's award for Cemetery Caretaker Mike Lombardozzi in the amount of $2,502.50. Davis advised the award is in regards to a grievance filed by Lombardozzi for the Village owned house at the cemetery. Up until last year the caretaker was required to reside in the historic Hammond house as part of the job. The Village insurance carrier cancelled coverage on the house upon learning that agreed upon repairs had not been done over the years and the caretaker and his family was forced to move out.
The third item was the LSW bill for cleaning out the "bear trap" located on McQueen's Run and the construction of a new one. At that July 20 meeting no one present admitted to knowing that a new trap was being constructed. The Village Fiscal Officer warned the Finance Committee a week earlier that he was guessing the bill was going to be much higher than expected for just cleaning debris out of the old existing trap. He said he was hearing of heavy equipment and cement trucks being used. In the following days newspaper reports the Mayor was quoted as saying he ordered the new trap be built for the safety of the village residents. Surace advised the reporter that he declared it an emergency and it would be paid out of the Sewage Fund. At that July meeting the bill was estimated to be $39,200.
The actual bill presented to Council last night was for a total of $37,908.81. Council Randy Allmon made the motion to pay the bill and Cataldo seconded. In discussing the motion Cataldo remarked that Councilwoman Haugh brought up some good points but felt "most of it is language for a lawyer". Without the Village Legal Advisor present he would agree to table paying the bill until Haugh's points could be reviewed.
Haugh countered she didn't think it was language for a lawyer and read her reasons for opposing to paying the bill. Point one was that Ohio Revised Code was not followed thus making the project illegal. She was referring to ORC 735.051 which reads:"Emergency conditions obviate formal bidding and advertising for contracts. In the case of a real and present emergency arising in connection with the operation and maintenance of the department of public service, including all municipally owned utilities, the department of public safety, or any other department, division, commission, bureau, or board of the municipality, the legislative authority of the municipality may by a two-thirds vote of all the members elected thereto, authorize the director of public service, director of public safety, city manager, board of public affairs, or other duly authorized contracting officer, commission, board, or authority, to enter into a contract for work to be done or for the purchase of supplies or materials without formal bidding and advertising. Effective Date: 11-05-1965" In other words the Mayor can declare an emergency to by-pass the bid process but must have two-thirds Council approval to proceed. According to the newspaper report in July the Mayor said he missed mentioning it to members of Council.
Haugh's second point was that the Village assumes all responsibility for any consequent fines or damages for the work that was done if they vote to pay the bill. Point three was that a new trap would not be needed if the old traps were cleaned out on a regular basis. The Mayor contended that the traps were cleaned out on a regular yearly basis with Haugh saying it hasn't been done in five years. Fire Chief Smith said if the existing traps were cleaned water would flow. In response to Cataldo's question on who is responsible Haugh replied "whenever you mess with a natural waterway the Ohio Dept. of Natural Resources, the EPA or whoever is concerned has to give their okay". She added that if the existing trap had been cleaned it would allowed time for the Village to get the required approval. Haugh's fourth point was that this is "water from a natural flowing waterway that has been redirected to empty into the river". It is not sewage and can not be paid out of the Sewage Fund.
Before reading a prepared statement the Mayor asked Smith to once again tell Council his opinion on the condition of the bear traps after the heavy rains in early July. Smith advised that the traps were blocked causing erosion and water to flood. Although not in his "realm" of responsibility it was his opinion that cleaning the traps should be an emergency and rebuilding them should be given a high priority. Councilwoman Goss questioned whether Smith thought there wasn't enough time to call Council together for this once the traps were cleaned out. The Mayor answered for Smith saying that's fine but sometimes it takes Council two or three days to get together. Haugh remarked it's the law that the Mayor can declare an emergency but needs Council approval to proceed. The Mayor said "I'm going to tell you something about the law Susie" and went on to read his prepared statement.
In the Mayor's statement he said he knows there are concerns about his decision with the bear traps. He said the Fire Chief came to him about his worry with the area explaining what would happen if this was not taken care of as soon as possible. With the potential of water overflowing onto Route 39 and running down to the lower end of town damaging people's property a decision had to be made. Water was high and had to be monitored every two hours for seven days. With LSW in town working with their equipment the Mayor contacted them. Surace stated "As your elected mayor I had to make a sound decision. I feel decisions are more important in an emergency than an opinion. When it comes to the safety of our citizens and village I was not going to put band-aids and bailing wire on a project of this magnitude in that area again..." He further stated he would make the same decision again when it comes to the safety of the citizens concluding with "so you guys do what you got to do".
Before casting his vote Soldano questioned if money for this bill could be taken out of the Sewage Fund. Davis replied "as long as it is his understanding that this is part of the storm sewer system" it can be. Soldano remarked it's too bad the Village Legal Advisor is not here to answered some of these questions. With both Haugh & Goss voting no Council approved paying the bill by a vote of 3 to 2.
Moving to Legislation on the ordinances for the third and final reading, Council voted 4 to 1 to terminate the union agreement with AFSCME Local 1869. Allmon cast the lone no vote. The ordinance to establish wages & conditions of employment for the fiscal clerk and establishing wages for the regular full-time non-safety employees both passed unanimously. Wages will remain the same as the union scale and the Street Dept. employees will now get Martin Luther King Day as a holiday.
Before adjourning the Mayor expressed his thanks to Council Pro-Tem Goss for sitting in for him while he was on vacation.
The meeting adjourned at 6:22 P.M. The next regular scheduled meeting is Tuesday, September 7 at 6 P.M.
ole nib
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32 comments:
Anon - didn't you mean to say intestinal fortitude?
nib
Old Nib,
Not to change the subject at hand,and to the least not to say they are not important. But, what happened to the homes that were supposed to be torn down in town? Do you know who picks the homes that are being and are already demolished? Where is the best resource to find out who the homeowners are of the homes to be demolished and have already been demolished?
all of that was reported in the MJ when the demolition project was started
After reading your account of the "Special" council meeting, my question is why do we have a council? It definitely appears that the "bear trap" situation was not dome legally and passing it does put the village of Wellsville, council and the mayor accountable legally. The mayor seemed to want to put the weight of this decision on the fire chief as he does in many of the controversial problems that he has initiated. It is time to hold those accountable for what they do in Wellsville government.
Speaking of the Fire Chief - he would be a good contact on the info for the demolition. Do know that the county gave a contract to Pusateri for the last three houses in town to be torn down with the money from the Neighborhood Stabilization Program in the second round.
nib
Every one of council should step down except goss and haugh. And to think two of the ones that voted to pay this bill are going to run for mayor! God help us.
Same two that are running for Mayor! One will stand right beside you and tell ya how they are for the union, was born and raised by family that worked union jobs,Which was the truth, but still voted against it. Family must be real PROUD of you! The other runs a business up town that has UNION PROUD sticker on the front entrance. Couple others aren't any better either. "Vote for me on council",I am all for the union. Well, you got my vote. But you lost all trust! "Protect the village my ass" PUPPETS ON STRINGS!!!
At this point in time we have not heard of anyone declaring their candidacy for Mayor. Saying anyone is going to be running for that office is just hear say at this date.
Before posting the last comment we stopped by the "business uptown" alluded to and could not see any sticker of any kind on the front door or building.
nib
This is a case were the union failed it's members, not council.
p&ac - how do you figure? Please share your thinking on how the union failed its members.
nib
When the real truth comes out why the union was abolished, you will see the union did not fail the members. And believe you-me! Everyone will be disappointed at why the administration and council made the decesion to abolish the union. Come November 2011, all the tax-payers will be reminded of the tactfull decisions and all the wasted money just to hurt one particular employee. But it's not personal, just will be the TRUTH!
My favorite saying while I was trying to rebuild an old plant in my working years was: "How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time."
The bear trap is fixed and doesn't need major repairs for another hundred years. Where is the next bite out of the elephant?
Mayor: If it takes another emergency decree to fix anything in that old town, do it.
Council: Someone has to step up to the table and give the mayor credit for having balls to get stuff done. He doesn't need to be questioned for every move he makes. He is looking out for the citizens of the Village. He has another year of service so make it memorable and get something done for the good folks of Wellsville.
Next Mayor of Wellsville: Use the accomplishments of Mayor Surace as a building block. Keep it going. With new money coming to the village you may be a real hero. Remember who led the way.
Citizens of my hometown: If you don't have any constructive criticisms, shut the f*** up! No one takes that job to get rich and famous. They do it for the love of their home town. You should be very proud of what your mayor has done in the past seven years. The flood wall depicts the history of Wellsville. Broadway with its working fountains is beautiful. Sports broadcast to the troops and old residences of Wellsville are great. It gives us a slice of HOME.
Good job Joe!
One more thing.
MS Susan Haugh:
If you are ever put into a do or die situation, you need to go with your best judgement.
When you are up to your rear end in alligators, it is hard to remember that the primary goal was to drain the swamp.
My opinion is that there is strength in numbers and for years, unions have come out and helped there fellow members by coming to council meetings, picketing and such. Most municipal workers are members of AFSCME and in the past, those members have come to support there fellow members. You attended the 3 meetings Ole Nib, did you see the council chambers filled with union workers? Council did not rush through this, there was plenty of time to campaign and try to convince them that placing those five employees under ordinance was not the best idea. I think their representation was nonexistent except for a rep who helped in a few negotiations.
P&ac - other than the people mentioned in the 1st paragraph we only saw two others at the meeting that evening notcounting ourselves & Jo Ann Bobby-Gilbert.
nib
To the individual that said the mayor has done so much in Wellsville, you definitely don't know the facts. The murals on the flood wall was not his idea, the bear
trap was not an emergency and why does he keep giving the jobs to one certain company without going to bids? Your statement about the mayor having balls to do things, then why doesn't he communicate with council about such emergencies and other items that involve the same company that gets these over $25,000 jobs. As your statements are blurred so are your facts.
Reading the input about what a great job the mayor has done and it is for Wellsvile and comes from his heart makes me wonder why he wants a plaque put up in the Gazeebo with all of his accomplishments. If he as you put it does it for the love of his town, then he wouldn't have to blow his own horn. You need to look and see what is really going on.
as for who is announcing running for mayor, much like the movie "you dont know jack" you dont know nib, but the signs are there, susan haugh will run for mayor, and she will lose. she lost my vote when she became a union buster and the efforts to make me wash and press my drapes. i like your website but amazed by the extent of your censorship. you will never be a legitimate local news source as long as you run this blog like Goebbles. "Looking out of my Nuremburg window" may be a better name.
I am the individual that wrote about our Mayor. Here is my response to your response. We can probably do this forever.
As I am writing this response, I wonder if either of the responders ever had the responsibility to get things done. Probably not. The murals on the flood wall are beautiful. The job was completed on the mayor’s watch. He pushed it and it is done. End of story.
The bear trap is done and needs no more energy spent on it. As for the same contractor doing the work that is the way it goes. When going out for bids, you get what you pay for. It is always comforting to know that every time you cross the Newel Bridge, it was built by the lowest bidder. One hopes that contractor didn’t cut costs just to get the job. When we sent all of our work overseas we got lead in our painted toys and crap in the Japanese drywall. When you find a contractor that has the proper equipment and the expertise to do the job you don’t have to worry if it will hold up. Once they prove to you they are taking advantage of you, they don’t work for you anymore.
The roll-a-dex was invented to store reliable and creditable contractor’s phone numbers at the tip of your finger just in case an emergency happens. When your furnace fails in the middle of the winter you certainly do not go out for bids. You either have a reputable heating and air-conditioning contractors name or you ask someone you know who does that kind of work well.
Petty jealousies have always been a part of Wellsville’s DNA. The fear of being criticized for everything you do has always handcuffed our city officials. That is the reason our infrastructure is in such bad shape and our children can not wait to leave once they finish their education.
You folks better get your act together pretty quick. Change is coming to the Valley and opportunity has a small window. If you are still fighting over what has happened, you will not be ready for it. The future of Wellsville is at stake. The glass is half full, not half empty.
“If he as you put it does it for the love of his town, then he wouldn't have to blow his own horn. You need to look and see what is really going on.”
I don’t know if any of that last statement is true or not. Sometimes if you don’t blow your own horn you will not recognize the tune. You always hear what the mayor is not doing and never what he has done. Who in their right mind would ever want that job? A better question is: Who in their right mind would ever go for a second term?
A majority of the town’s citizens felt he was doing a good job and they re-elected him. I know small minded folks would add “not by much.”
The glass is half empty reasoning.
Thanks nib for posting.
One person can not know everything. So, in order to manage effectively as a mayor, owner of a contracting firm, plant manager, law office, dental office, medical office etc, one must surround ones self with knowledgeable individuals. To take the advice of those individuals makes or breaks the effort. A mayor, or plant manager, is only as effective as the advice he gets from those individuals. Fear to make decisions is no way to run an operation. In the old days we feared 9th Street. Nothing got done.
I personally observed a Mayor of Wellsville perched on top of a back hoe trying to repair a broken sewer line. I personally observed the service director in the hole with a pry bar because there was no money to hire the right people to make the repair.
I think the city council members should put on work clothes and once a week do the labor chores that is required to maintain the Village. You are on the city’s payroll, why not? Report to work early in the morning and stay late until the job is done. Get your hands dirty. I feel they would have a greater appreciation of what it takes to operate and maintain the Village with no money.
I’ve seen council members showing up for the meetings in shorts and tank tops. How professional is that? I think the mayor should be able to sit back and take pot shots of the council for how well they did their job. We can continue to put Band-Aids on the problems or we can go to a specialist and get a cure. Anyone contemplating running for that office should run, not walk to the nearest shrink and get your head examined. The citizens will not appreciate what you do.
the murals on the flood wall was the mayors idea...As always people chimed in and took the idea as their own....thats all a certain few councilpeople are good for anyway...they hear other peoples ideas and run with them saying thats it is their own....The mayor now has a done a fantastic job...and everyone knows it
Does anyone know if Councilwoman Goss got her house tore down with the Neighborhood Stabilization Program? And if so, WHY? What efforts are being taken to get the rest of the homes tore down? The Glab home on Lisbon Street is being bombbarded with all kinds of children going in and out of it, as well as a HORRIBLE stintch! Just my own observation while riding around admiring this town.
If you remember correctly, the mayor won by only 4 votes, and they were questionable votes.
Who in their right mind would ever want that job? A better question is: Who in their right mind would ever go for a second term? All the talk you do about how great the mayor is doing and add that statement, really says a lot about your thought and reasoning. Oh by the way, how many other mayors take 6 weeks of vacation when the heat was on about the issues at hand. You really need to look at all of the facts at hand.
DINAH SAID...
BRAVO TO THE PERSON WHO COMMENTED ABOUT THE MAYOR TAKING SO MUCH TIME OFF FOR VACATION. I WOULD LOVE TO BE PAID FOR NOT DOING ANYTHING.
FUNNY HOW WHETHER HE IS HERE OR AWAY HE IS STILL BEING PAID FOR NOT DOING ANYTHING. AS FOR SUZIE HAUGH'S STATEMENT, I KNOW SHE DID HER HOMEWORK AS FAR AS STATING THE FACTS ABOUT THE BEAR TRAPS AND THE MAYOR'S RESPONSIBILTIES.
I WISH SHE WOULD RUN FOR MAYOR BECAUSE SHE HAS SO MANY WONDERFUL IDEAS. I HONESTLY FEEL THAT SHE WOULD SHOW UP FOR WORK AND TAKE CHARGE OF HER RESPONSIBILITIES.SHE WOULD ALSO KNOW HOW TO TAKE NORMAL VACATION TIME.
I'M GLAD SHE IS ON COUNCIL TO REPRESENT THE VILLAGE AND I CAN'T WAIT UNTIL DIANE RUNS FOR COUNCIL. WHAT A WONDERFUL PAIR THEY WOULD MAKE. GET IT GIRLS!!!!!
P.S. FOR THE PERSON WHO DIDN'T LIKE THE SHORTS AND THE TANK TOPS WORN AT SOME OF THE COUNCIL MEETINGS I CAN ONLY SAY I WOULD RATHER SEE THOSE ITEMS WORN ON SOMEONE WHO KNOWS WHAT THE HELL THEY ARE TALKING ABOUT THAN A DRESSED UP TURD.
A mayor, or plant manager, is only as effective as the advice he gets from those individuals. This statement would mean more if the mayor would communicate with council before these decisions are made. IF you remember correctly he said he didn't have time to get with council because it would take a coupe days, but the so called emergency needed to be done immediately. The was not immediate as he stated and did have time to get with council. This was the second time he did not communicate with council on an issues. If you are aware of what the mayor does ans states, you would remember he said he will communicate with council before making any such decisions. Facts are facts and you seem to only state your feelings.
To the anonymous commenter of 9/6 who said the vote on the bear trap bill was 4 - 2: There were only five council members present at that meeting. Obviously the vote couldn't have been 4 - 2. With your inability to count it's easy to understand your insensitive, insulting and opinionated comments you proffered.
Congratulations, your comment was the fourth we rejected on this post. Two of the others contained obscenities and one was a duplicate. If you think that is unfair please remember that this is an independent blog written and controlled by me alone.
We try to promote Wellsville in everything we can. It's a good place to live with many kind and caring people, hopeful for the future. Many residents have progressive thinking with ideas to improve our lot in life rather than wallow in the mire of the way things are. These are people that look at the way things worked in the past and realize there's a need for change if we're ever going to move forward. They realize we're a poor village with not much capital to work with but look for ways to legally get things done. They are the ones who see the glass as half full.
nib
If some council people want to "Protect the Village". Why does council still get their full pay once a month for 2 council meetings,when only one meeting a month has been done? Is it not the tax-payer's money who pay's council? Why should they get paid for meetings that have not taken place? Their pay should be half the amount a month! Come on council! Do your own part in "PROTECTING THE VILLAGE"!!!!!!
Hooray for Susie!! So, she knows alittle about the laws of council and the Mayor! How about Ordinances taking 3 readings to pass, and before the third reading, change Dates and ordinances! Can there be two ordinances with different meanings and dates? Want to talk about why the union isn's there for meetings! Cause they don't know about the "SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETINGS"!!!
That meeting was advertised for two weeks in advance.
nib
It's easy to see that most comments in reference to the mayor doing a fine job and excuses to why the union was not represented well, are being made by the same people. Mayor Surace continues to defy council and break the law. Only the village administrator has the authority to spend money without councils' approval up to an allotted amount by law. The mayor has no such authority. Do you recall the old Mason building on Main Street that caught fire several years ago? The village was strapped financially, but it was going to cost the village a large sum to address the fire and tear down the building. Former Mayor Lascola called an emergency council meeting and asked permission from council to spend money to address this emergency. That is what a true, law abiding mayor does! Anyone reading the local papers can see the pattern of hiring LSW with the claims they are local. What about locals who have been here for years? Pusateri, Allison, McKenzie, Jarvis, are a few names that come to mind who have all done work for the village in the past. LSW has been doing work for the village since Mayor Surace took office, as a company running out of West Virginia. Cleaning of the bear traps may have constituted an emergency, but building a new one did not. Any fool can see that, except for the "elected" fool.
As for council and the union, council purposely placed the ordinances on 3 readings, so nothing was rushed and mistakes might be caught before being adopted. Regular and Special council meetings are advertised, only an emergency meeting is not. From what I understand, the former union workers only lost supplemental insurance but kept everything else. So, what did they really lose? They were put in line with the police and fire departments and why do 5 people think they deserve more than the safety forces? Nowadays, just be thankful you have a job with benefits and if you are not happy with it, by all means better yourself and move on. There will be plenty of people applying for your job after you vacate it.
To the individual that wrote: Hooray for Susie!! So, she knows a little about the laws of council and the Mayor. I am quite sure even if you work anywhere, when you first started your job you had to learn as time went on. Also if you read the papers, you will see when the "SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETINGS" are held.
To Anon of 2:36: Yep, know what you mean. Can appreciated your sentiment.
nib
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