Unions deliver no-confidence votes in service director; residents press council over Ridgewood parking and zoning disputes

Two unions presented votes of no confidence in Salem—s Service and Safety Director and raised allegations of contract changes and withheld pay, while multiple residents urged the City Council to restore on-street parking on Ridgewood Drive and a homeowner sought zoning help for a first-floor bathroom addition.

At the start of public comment, Tony Maniscalco, secretary and treasurer of Local 2701, told council that the service director, Joe Capizello, had "retyped our contract" to change hours for traffic-safety employees from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. to 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., which Maniscalco said broke the union—s contract. Maniscalco said a union member, Scott Lambert, resigned after the change and later did not receive a final paycheck; he said a grievance was filed and that the union had voted a formal no-confidence measure asking council to remove Capizello. "We fear that if he can break the law... he will only continue to retaliate on our union members," Maniscalco said.

A representative from the police union identified as Tanner told council the police union also held a confidence vote in the mayor and the safety director; he said, "As a union we voted also for the mayor or the safety directors no confidence vote. It was 14 to 2." Both union speakers requested council attention; council moved the matter into an executive session for personnel grievances later in the meeting and said no action would be taken during that session.

Multiple Ridgewood Drive residents told council they were surprised and upset after no-parking markings were placed on part of their block. Heather Schreffler, who said she has lived on Ridgewood for 25 years, presented a petition she said showed 14 of 28 houses on the affected section signed in favor of restoring on-street parking. Christina Cook described tickets and a tow-threat affecting a family member and said the change had interrupted visits from out-of-state relatives. Another resident, who identified himself as David, said no safety assessment was provided and accused staff of singling out part of the street for the restriction. Residents asked council either to paint the restriction consistently along the full block, limit restrictions to overnight hours, or limit them to the few properties that generated complaints.

Aaron Moore, a resident who said he recently moved to Salem to help care for his 86-year-old mother, described a dispute with the zoning office over a small first-floor bathroom addition. Moore said the existing house is set 20 feet from the street and that the zoning rule cited by staff requires a 30-foot setback for new sections; he said the proposed work would extend toward the backyard and be flush with the existing east wall. Council members told Moore a new zoning officer starts the next day and advised him to provide plans to that officer; council also noted he could appeal a denial to the Board of Zoning Appeals.

Don Eustad, a member of the Parks and Recreation Commission, read a proclamation from the Columbiana County Board of Commissioners naming Salem a site for the "Heritage Tree" project; Eustad said a white oak is planned for Centennial Park on June 19, 2026, as part of the America250 Ohio program.

Mayor Mary Dickey (title used on the record) told council she had an ordinance on the agenda to create an IT manager position and asked to go into executive session on contract and legal matters. Council members said with only five members present they could conduct first readings but could not adopt ordinances that required six votes.

Votes at a glance - Motion to excuse Councilmember Gaynor: passed (5-0). Recorded yes votes: Bricker, Newman, Noll, Stockman, Sellers. (Clerk record.) - Ordinance 250805-42 (resolution adopting revised tax budget for fiscal year beginning 2026): motion for first reading and to suspend rules for first reading — suspension motion passed (5-0); ordinance read by title for first reading. - Ordinance 250805-43 (resolution authorizing application to ODNR urban forestry grant): motion to suspend rules for first reading — suspension motion passed (5-0); ordinance read by title for first reading. - Ordinance 250805-44 (related resolution): suspension motion passed (5-0); ordinance read by title for first reading. - Ordinance 250805-45 (application to OMEGA RTP program): first reading only; no suspension required. - Ordinance 250805-46 (salary/wage adjustments for non-represented employees): motion to suspend rules and consider tonight — suspension passed (5-0); ordinance read by title for first reading with emergency clause. - Ordinance 250805-47 (consent to annexation of ~67.3258 acres from Perry Township): first reading. - Ordinance 250805-48 (accepting annexation, zoning designation RS2): first reading. - Motion to enter executive session for personnel grievances, no action to be taken: passed (5-0). Speakers from unions were invited to participate in the executive session; council said no action would result from that session.

Discussion vs. decisions Council repeatedly distinguished public comment and staff reports from formal action. Several ordinances were read for first reading only; several suspensions of council rules were approved so items could receive first reading at the meeting. Council scheduled an executive session on personnel grievances and legal matters and indicated no votes would be taken in executive session.

Context and next steps Council members said they will follow up on the personnel grievances and the Ridgewood parking complaints. Mayor Dickey noted the city must finalize the tax budget to the county by Aug. 20 and asked council to schedule a meeting before Aug. 19 so six members can be present. Residents who spoke on Ridgewood asked for clearer notices and either a full-block painting of restrictions or a narrower overnight restriction; council members said they would look into the concerns. Aaron Moore was advised to work with the new zoning officer and that he could file for a Board of Zoning Appeals hearing if he receives an adverse decision.