City manager search outlined at council meeting
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FOLLANSBEE -- Mayor David Velegol Jr. Monday answered questions about the steps that will be taken to select one candidate from four who have applied for the city manager's position.
Velegol said he has forwarded resumes submitted to the four to the 14 members of an advisory committee he has formed for the purpose of winnowing the applicants to two or three candidates to be interviewed by the volunteer group.
The mayor said the aim is reduce the number to two but a third may be considered if at least half of the committee supports it.
Last week Velegol announced the committee is comprised of Weirton City Manager Joseph DiBartolomeo, former Follansbee city manager Kevin Diserio, Wheeling City Manager Bob Herron, 1rst Ward Councilman Paul Boniey, former councilmen Tom Ludewig and Scott McMahon, local business owners Scott Ewusiak, David Lyle and Twila Mezan; retired educator Nancy Deters, City Attorney Michael Gaudio, former city clerk Jim Mirasola, Debbie Puskarich, president of the Follansbee Chamber of Commerce; City Police and Fire Chief Larry Rea, and the Rev. Frank Haas, the Rev. Joseph Cuomo and the Rev. Jude Perera.
Local resident Vito "Skip" Cutrone suggested council members, as elected representatives of the city, should be involved in the interviews. He added some on the advisory committee don't live in the city.
Cutrone also asked if the interviews will be open to the public. Resident Nick Cekinovich suggested because there are four applicants, a relatively small number, all could be interviewed.
Velegol said council members also may sit in on the interviews and ask questions of the candidates with the advisory committee.
He said the interviews will determine one candidate to be nominated by him and interviewed and considered by the entire city council.
"Whichever applicant comes up, it's up to us (to decide)," said Councilman at large John Casinelli.
Following the meeting, Velegol said plans call for the advisory committee to select applicants for interviews later this week and help determine a nominee for council's consideration on May 10.
The mayor said for the committee he wanted to bring together a broad spectrum of current and former city officials and representatives of various sectors of the community who he felt could be objective.
"I was looking for different perspectives from different people," he said, adding he included a few people who have disagreed strongly with him at times.
"These are not my 17 best friends by any means," Velegol said.
He said City Attorney Michael Gaudio has advised against even releasing the applicants' names on the grounds it's a confidential personnel matter.
Casinelli said there are cases in which job applicants haven't told their current employer they are seeking other work.
Regarding the suggestion of interviewing all four applicants, Velegol said narrowing the field to two or three was part of the original plan for the city manager's selection.
City Water Superintendent Jack McIntosh has served as interim city manager since December. Former City Manager John DeStefano died in January after serving in that capacity for 16 years.
In other business:
¯ The mayor and council recognized Ethan Robey, a Brooke High School senior who has been named a National Merit Finalist for his excellent score on a college entrance examination and outstanding record for academics, extracurricular activities and community service.
It was noted Robey has been captain of the school's swim team and a three-time state finalist in the sport and earned the rank of Eagle Scout as a volunteer archivist for the American Defenders of Bataan and Corregidor Museum in Wellsburg.
The son of Eric and Lori Robey, he plans to attend West Virginia University and study engineering.
¯ Resident Carri Welsh told council she's worked with Deputy Police Chief Dan Casto to develop an ordinance prohibiting dogs from being left outside in extreme weather.
It states dogs may not be tethered or otherwise kept outside for more than 30 minutes when the temperature is 90 degrees Fahrenheit or greater or 32 degrees Fahrenheit or less; and during thunderstorms, hail, tornadoes, floods or other severe weather conditions.
It adds, "Depending on size, breed and overall health of the dog upon inspection, the final judgment pertaining to its safety is up to the dog warden and/or law enforcement officers."
¯ McIntosh said the city is working to obtain easements for the Blosser Lane sewer project and hopes work to install a new sewer line there can begin within 60 days.
In his report to council, he also advised efforts to address rats, through bait and capture, haven't been effective because the vermin are still able to find food in problem areas.
Council members and attendees said the problem stems from some residents leaving out food for stray cats while others fail to contain their trash in covered garbage cans.
It was noted that residents and property owners were sent a warning about the problem, and Velegol advised City Police Chief Larry Rea to issue citations for violations contributing to the problem.
¯ Casinelli suggested the city extend a sidewalk along Main Street from the parking lot of the Bluewave Center, formerly the Follansbee Middle School field house, to Brooke Plaza. He noted many pedestrians cross a grassy path through the area, which currently is owned by the city.
(Scott can be contacted at wscott@heraldstaronline.com.)