WELLSVILLE — After approving council minutes for the Dec. 20 meeting, council members unanimously passed five ordinances in relation to boosting the wages for village employees in 2023.

Effective Jan. 1, non-tipped employees statewide saw a hike of 80 cents in minimum wage to $10.10 per hour. Both of the sewage clerks — one full-time and one part-time — now will earn $12 per hour and the mayor’s clerk-secretary $15 per hour.

Thanks to the ballot issue approved in November, police also saw increases. The police chief will earn $58,000 annually, lieutenants and full-time patrolmen will see $5-per-hour pay hikes. Part-time police officers will see increases of $4.50 per hour, which council members said will help with retention efforts.

Columbiana County Board of Elections certified the passage of a 5-mill continuous police levy in December, after a recount revealed it passed by two votes.

The annual salary for the village’s full-time fiscal officer now will be $60,000, which reflects the extra responsibilities she now holds without a part-time assistant and assuming oversight of payroll.

Councilwoman Karen Dash updated the public that the mayor’s secretary is once again taking reservations for Tag Days within the city as well as pavilions within Hammond Park. As a result of the first year of charging the pavilion rental fee of $25, Dash said they will continue the practice with the money being due when the application is filed and date reserved.

After a five-minute executive session half way through the meeting, council unanimously elected Bill Taft, who oversees the Finance Committee, as their 2023 president pro temp in open session.

Bills totaling $9662.15 were approved for payment, including $5,000 for work within cemetery buildings and $2,747.93 for maintenance on the village’s Kubota RTV.

During her report, Fiscal Officer Hoi Wah Yu reported that the village had a $2.5 million carryover into 2023 and she is currently researching grants for paving projects, including Nevada Street and the state Route 7 ramp.

Sue Heathorn once again asked for an update regarding a dilapidated home at 800 Broadway, which is an eyesore in her neighborhood.

Solicitor John Gamble said now that the title search has been completed, they are proceeding through making the owner of the fire-damaged property to either remediate or raze the property. He said that there is insurance money held in escrow to pay for the work, which has stood damaged for the last two years.

Members also approved a resolution authorizing Yu to make payroll via direct deposit for employees who want to utilize that option.

Council next meets at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 18 in council chambers of village hall.

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