NELSONVILLE, Ohio — Nelsonville resident Tom Cangemi will become the city’s new city manager — the sixth this year — effective Monday, Oct. 2.
Nelsonville City Council briefly discussed the decision at its Monday night meeting before approving his $80,000 salary contract with the city in a 4-2 vote. Cangemi worked for the Architect of the Capitol as the Safety and Occupational Health Manager, according to LinkedIn.
Members Dan Sherman and Nancy Sonick voted no. Sherman questioned the legality of offering a negotiated salary that was higher than advertised, at $55,00 to $75,000 — “advertising one thing and negotiating something else.”
The council did not have much further public discussion on Cangemi’s hiring.
Current interim Nelsonville Police Chief Devon Tolliver has also served as city manager — as needed — since January. Cangemi will replace Bernie Roell, who resigned from the position in May during a heated executive session with council members. The city has been in the hiring process for a city manager since July, holding interviews in multiple executive sessions.
According to City Auditor Taylor Sappington, costs for the city manager position are split into thirds within the city budget, coming from the general, water and sewer funds.
The council also passed Resolution 2284, introduced by Gregg Clement, which names the city’s new wastewater treatment plant in honor of Nelsonville community member Mark Hall Sr.
Hall has dedicated more than 40 years of service to the city, the ordinance stated, including serving as city manager and a council member.
“Mr. Hall has provided countless time and efforts to ensure that the city of Nelsonville is the best place it can be for all of the city’s residents,” the ordinance states. He has “continued to help with the water and sewer departments at any moment’s notice, to help the city find and shut off valves and sewer lines … The city would like to thank him for his generosity and services.”
Council member Dan Sherman added that he’d like to see a plaque in honor of Ed Mash at the plant as well.
“Thank you very much for [the] respect and it humbles me, it just totally humbles me,” Hall said.
In other business, interim police chief and city manager Devon Tolliver gave the Nelsonville Police Department’s report for last month. In August, the NPD:
- Responded to 562 calls.
- Conducted 73 traffic stops.
- Issued 33 citations.
- Issued seven parking tickets.
- Issued eight trespassing offenses.
- Responded to eight traffic crashes.
- Made 33 criminal arrests.
- Made 15 warrant arrests.
“Our call volume is up 12% from last month,” Tolliver said. Dunfee noted that 562 calls in August averages out to about 18 calls per day.
Additionally, during committee reports, council member Doug Childs said that he would explore establishing an official policy for individuals paying restitution to the city.
Toward the end of the meeting, Sherman asked Dunfee why he hadn’t assigned him any committees. Sherman also asked Dunfee this question at the previous meeting. Once again, Dunfee dismissed the question, telling Sherman Monday night that it wasn’t an appropriate time.
Nelsonville City Council meets every other Monday of each month. Its next regular meeting will be Monday, Oct. 9 at 7 p.m. in Nelsonville City Council Chambers, 211 Lake Hope Drive. Meetings are also livestreamed on YouTube. Find more at cityofnelsonville.com.
