CANTON: City Council last week resolved two issues related to employee compensation.
A majority agreed to pay $7,000 to up to 18 former employees who were dismissed in January 2012 after the administration learned they had “retired” to collect state pensions without actually leaving their jobs.
Kristen Bates Aylward, an assistant city law director, said 17 individuals have accepted the settlement.
She said the city and employees had reconciled their accounts according to state audit results. Employees were owed money for unused vacation and sick leave. The city was owed the difference between the pay and benefits the employees received following their retirements and the amount they would have been paid if rehired at entry-level compensation.
The agreement was the result of mediation between the administration and the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees.
Councilwoman Mary Cirelli voted against the settlement, while Councilman Edmond Mack abstained from voting. His law firm represents 10 former employees who are challenging their dismissals in court.
Councilman Greg Hawk did not attend the meeting.
In other action, council gave Finance Director Joseph DiRuzza a 16.9 percent raise — $11,601 — to take his salary to $80,000. He had been offered a position in Portage County. Mayor William J. Healy II said he wanted to match that salary offer to keep DiRuzza.
Cirelli cast the lone vote in opposition.
Nancy Molnar can be reached at nancymolnar2002@yahoo.com.