GIRARD — City officials are discussing options on dealing with feral cats roaming in parts of the city.

Mayor Mark Zuppo told city council Monday the city offices have been receiving calls from residents in different areas of the community about feral cats.

He said he spoke to a representative of Animal Resource Center in Cortland, who recommended he speak with a local veterinary clinic that the city may be able to negotiate a price to have the stray cats caught and then spayed or neutered.

Zuppo said the cats also could be checked for any diseases.

Cortland and other communities have similar agreements in place in dealing with feral cats in their communities. Zuppo said he will speak with the Steel Valley Spay and Neuter Clinic in Girard to see if they may be interested.

Residents have attended past council meetings to address the cat issue.

TENNIS COURTS

In other business, Councilman John Moliterno, D-3rd Ward, said the parks committee will look at getting tennis courts in the parks. He said the Girard High School tennis teams have to use the courts in neighboring Liberty for practice and matches.

Councilman Thomas Grumley, D-4th Ward, said he would like to see tennis courts at Stambaugh Park.

Also Monday, safety officials reported on totals for the year. Fire Chief Jim Petruzzi said the fire department responded to 2,334 calls in 2025, making the department the fifth busiest in the county. He said the total calls in 2024 were 1,283. The ambulance service was restarted over the summer, which could have led to the near doubling of calls.

Police Chief John Freeman said the police department received 9,729 calls, which is 26.5 calls per day. He said there were 1,747 traffic stops, 1,258 traffic citations, 255 misdemeanor arrests, 47 felony arrests, 46 operating a vehicle while intoxicated and 175 traffic accidents.

Freeman said traffic stops and OVIs were both up in 2025 compared to 2024.

Both chiefs said they are seeking grant money and other external funding sources for items such as turnout gear for the fire department and body cameras for the police department.

Freeman said he is seeking a Violent Crime Reduction grant, which helps departments address domestic violence and trauma training. He said JJ Silverman and Matt Jamieson were both promoted from patrolman to sergeant.

Freeman said the department now has one captain, four sergeants and 10 patrolmen, with two others in training.

WATERLINE BREAKS

In other business, Safety-Service Director Mark Ragozine said with the recent fluctuation of temperatures from warm to cold and vice versa, the city has had its share of waterline breaks.

He said crews were out over the weekend to repair waterlines off Front Street and in the Weathersfield area that the city serves off Salt Springs Road. Ragozine said lines were repaired and normal water pressure was restored.

Ragozine said plans are to advertise for bids for demolition of the alleyway by the Wellman Theater off West Liberty Street and repairs to the roof and other improvements. He said bids will be sought for the project.