Residents park concerns at council | News, Sports, Jobs

GIRARD — Girard officials will review concerns about vehicles being parked on streets for long periods, creating traffic concerns for emergency vehicles and neighborhood residents.

Resident Joe Melfi of Morris Avenue told city council Monday a vehicle has been parked in front of his house for a long time.

He suggested council look into approving a parking ordinance, which would prohibit vehicles from being parked on streets for such long periods and creating at times safety hazards and interrupting traffic flow.

“If this is in place, the city could use its discretion to remove vehicles that are in violation. This will help improve the safety and quality of life for the residents.,” Melfi said.

He said ambulances, fire and police vehicles need to get to places and can’t have streets with cars parked on the roads all the time.

“These safety vehicles need to have accessibility on the roadways and pulling in and out of driveways into the streets. Police need to have good surveillance,” Melfi said.

“It is ridiculous to have family and friends over and there is nowhere to park in front of your house. If a car is stagnant and can be placed in a driveway, why does it need to be on the road? Public parking should be available but not abused on the streets. The ability to park on a street was never intended for long-term purposes or in some cases, storage purposes,” Melfi said.

He said other communities, such as Niles, have ordinances prohibiting vehicles to be left parked on roads during designated times.

“Why does a car need to be parked on a road at 3 a.m. on any day without a proper permit?” Melfi said.

He asked what parking ordinances are in place or should be put in place.

“Having a parking regulation ordinance is the proper thing to do,” Melfi said.

Fourth Ward Councilman Thomas Grumley, chairman of the health and safety committee, said he will take the matter to the committee for review.

In other business, council gave second reading for pay raises for nonelected, nonunion employees, including the police and fire chiefs.

Second reading was given Monday to adjusting the yearly salaries of the safety / service director, police chief and fire chief by $6,000 retroactive to Jan. 1.

The safety service director’s pay will go from $57,946 to $63,946 and the police chief and fire chief from $65,478 to $71,478.

Officials said the fire chief will receive a $3,000 increase in 2022 and the other $3,000 increase in 2023 because Jim Petruzzi recently was hired as chief.

Also given a first reading was increasing the pay of the part-time rental / zoning inspectors from $10 to $14 per hour and the permanent part-time various service and recreational department employees from $9.30 to $12.50 per hour.

Also, council approved submitting an application to participate in the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency lead service line inventory and mapping grant program. Safety Service Director Jerry Lambert said if the city is able, it can receive a $50,000 grant for lead lines.