Service director recommends hiring intern Nate Mandich as full‑time mechanic; Streets Committee to review wages

Service Director Joe Blados told the Streets Committee on May 5 that Service Department intern Nate Mandich has demonstrated the mechanical skill, initiative and teamwork that would justify hiring him as a full‑time mechanic.

Why it matters: Hiring a trained mechanic in-house could reduce the village’s vehicle repair costs and delay or avoid more expensive vehicle replacements, affecting the village’s operating budget and fleet readiness.

Blados said Mandich assisted with a wide range of vehicle and equipment repairs across the Service Department, Community Services and Police Department, and that retaining him would allow the village to maximize recently purchased shop equipment, including a tire machine. He described Mandich’s work ethic and mechanical abilities as “exceptional” and said the internship has produced measurable cost savings by allowing more repairs to be done in-house.

Blados cited a concrete example: three police cruisers with persistent exhaust issues that outside shops were unable to diagnose were identified and repaired in‑house by Blados and Mandich, avoiding the police department’s potential vehicle replacement requests. Council Member Lasky echoed support for Mandich, listing repairs Mandich completed (tires, brakes, engine work, motor mounts, fuel pumps) and noting a decline in outside repair bills; Chair Ray Berzins also expressed support.

Committee members discussed whether the internship would continue through the Cuyahoga Valley Career Center (CVCC) and noted that not all interns have Mandich’s level of skill. After discussion the committee agreed to extend Mandich’s internship while Village legal options for hiring are reviewed and directed staff to schedule a Wage and Salary Committee meeting to consider converting the position to full time. No final hiring vote was taken at the Streets Committee meeting.

The meeting record shows no specific salary or benefits figures for a full‑time hire; Blados cited salary and health insurance costs as budget factors to be reviewed. The Streets Committee adjourned after scheduling the wage‑review steps.