HUBBARD — City officials welcomed a new safety director this week, while also recognizing the one who has served the community for the past nine years.

Mayor Ben Kyle had new safety director Nick Modarelli sworn in at Monday’s council meeting while also presenting a plaque to outgoing director Lou Carsone, whose last day was Sunday.

Modarelli, who has previously been a police officer in Youngstown and also worked for the Mahoning County Prosecutor’s Office, said he plans to continue the operations of the safety departments as they were under Carsone’s leadership.

“They were in good hands and will continue to be,” Modarelli said, noting the police department is a good department where everyone gets along.

Carsone, who moved up the ranks in the police department from patrolman to chief to safety director, is working this week with Modarelli to familiarize him with the position.

He said while he is retired now, he plans to help with the police department when needed.

Carsone at Monday’s meeting thanked city officials and council for their support.

Kyle said Carsone has spent his career in law enforcement serving the residents of Hubbard.

“He has been extremely dedicated to his work and providing safety to the community,” Kyle said.

The mayor said he sees a smooth transition, noting Carsone and Modarelli have been working together in recent weeks.

Kyle said Modarelli brings “a wealth of legal and police knowledge” to the position with his experience in law enforcement.

The mayor also will be addressing the service director position following the recent death of longtime community member Dan Livingston, who served as service director since 2012.

In other business, the newest member of the police department, a service / therapy dog, will be sworn in at an upcoming council meeting. Kyle said the dog will serve as part of community-oriented policing work.

Council also:

• Heard from Kyle that the city, in partnership with the Trumbull County Combined Health District, held a pop-up vaccine clinic this week at the city’s senior center to get the coronavirus vaccine to local residents. The second local clinic for Hubbard and Hubbard Township residents is set March 29;

• Approved a two-year agreement extension with Republic Services through Jan. 31, 2023, for trash and recyclable pickup. Kyle said there will be a 25 cents per month increase on the base rate with no change on the senior citizen rate;

• Is seeking funding for the Grandview Avenue culvert replacement and paving project estimated at $273,000. The Ohio Public Works Commission project is set to be done in late April.