By Andrew Walsh
awalsh@wbcowqel.com
The Galion Finance Committee tabled a budgetary proposal for hiring temporary summer workers for mowing purposes. Concerns were raised about the costs of this measure, and it was tabled for further information before any proposal is advanced to City Council.
It was initially proposed by the mayor as a way of keeping more highly skilled workers doing more productive activities throughout the summer than riding lawn mowers. Councilman Mike Richart agreed, calling that a “poor use of resources.”
But the $60,000 proposed budget for this proved a sticking point.
Other concerns included the potential of the workers accruing enough hours to acquire benefits. Mayor Tom O’Leary assured the committee that this would not be the case. The workers would not be permitted to acquire enough hours to earn unemployment, and the only fringe benefit would be the city’s share of OPERS.
Talking about the potential of them working enough hours to acquire medical insurance, O’Leary stated, “If they’re restricted to less than 30 hours a week then we’ll hire five employees.”
Still, after the discussions, the matter was ultimately tabled.
O’Leary gave an update on the Portland Way paving project, in which he reported the Hesby Drive portion to be slightly ahead of the 598 project. This is ok at the moment, but the city is hoping to see ODOT’s pace begin to quicken.
The proposed paving of 598 south of the current project to the city limits also received some attention. It is still very early days in this discussion, but it is not something that council wants to fall through the cracks. That street is badly in need of not only a new surface, but a new bed as well, and could cost in the region of $1.2 million.