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CANFIELD -- City council has ratified a three-year contract with the Ohio Patrolmen's Benevolent Association representing police officers, dispatchers, lieutenants and sergeants.
There are 27 people in the OPBA union and the contract includes a 5% increase each year. Members will contribute 13% to their health care costs. Other changes include adding military leave and extending the time limit for issuing discipline from 30 days to 60 days.
"We've been working together on this since June and negotiations were smooth," said police Chief and Acting City Manager Chuck Colucci. "The total cost is an increase of $418,122 over the next three years."
He said the increases are all about retention. Some nearby departments are offering up to $6,000 to join their force, Colucci said. He said the increases in this contract will help retain "good people."
"We do have a very good department," said Council President John Morvay.
Morvay did ask if there was money in the budget for the increases and was told there was.
In other business, Public Works Superintendent John Rapp reported on a water main break on Edwards Street. He said the nuisance house at 280 Lisbon St. had been taken down by the Mahoning County Land Bank, and the contractor doing the work brought out a 2-inch hose and connected it to the fire hydrant to spray the structure as it was coming down.
"They hooked up to the fire hydrant without getting permission," Rapp said.
He said the contractor allowed vehicles to travel over the hose while it was under pressure.
"That would definitely cause a break," he said.
He told council he intends to go after the contractor to pay for a full crew and equipment working overtime to fix the leak.
jtwhitehouse@vindy.com