STEUBENVILLE - Jack Cera officially was hired Monday as the new coordinator of the Jefferson-Belmont Regional Solid Waste Authority.

Cera has been on the job since Nov. 1, but the solid waste authority's board of trustees formally approved his three-year contract with a $60,000 salary the first year.

The board also approved a new three-year contract for the authority's Fiscal Officer Dave Hays and announced plans to review the employee salary structure for 2010.

Cera is expected to meet with the board of trustees in January to "identify his role in the solid waste authority."

Board member Bruce Williams asked for the meeting stating, "It is important for the future of the solid waste authority that you clearly understand what is expected of you. We want to start you out right."

"We made a pledge to ourselves shortly after we employed you to set goals for you. We have great expectations of you. We have come a long way with the authority and we need to stay focused," said Williams.

Cera said he welcomed the goal-setting session.

"It has been an interesting first week on the job. I have meet with the Keep Jefferson and Belmont counties Beautiful coordinators and plan to go out soon with the recycling truck drivers so I can learn all of the jobs under the solid waste authority. I have already found you have excellent employees working in both counties," said Cera.

Williams submitted his resignation from the board citing his plans to retire in January as the city manager of Steubenville and noted Mayor Domenick Mucci will probably serve as interim city manager and as the city's representative on the solid waste authority board of trustees until a new city manager is selected.

Board Chairman Tom Bottorf announced paper recycling proceeds this week will be donated to area food pantries in Jefferson and Belmont counties. And the board approved a suggestion to set up a similar week starting Dec. 7.

"I think it will be a good idea to do this before Christmas to help people in need," said Bucky Argentine, a board member.

In other business, the board approved a pass-through grant application from the Hilltop Community Development Corp. to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources.

Cera said the solid waste authority will apply for the $1,912 grant and, if approved, will pass it on to the hilltop group in Steubenville for the organization's semi-annual litter cleanup in the Pleasant Heights and LaBelle neighborhoods.

Cera also told the board he attended the Ohio Solid Waste District Organization meeting and learned the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency is preparing a guidance document for unused pharmaceutical collections.

"There were also discussions about yard waste and composting. And we need to look at making sure we prevent illegal dumping at our recycling collection sites. That is not something we can put up with. We also need to form a stronger relationship with our county judges and law enforcement agencies," related Cera.

The board also approved temporary manpower for the Belmont County recycling operations.

Bottorf said Belmont County now has 16 recycling barns, and "recyclable material from the barns is a very time consuming process. I would prefer hiring temporary employees until we determine our staffing and operational plans for the future."

The board unanimously approved a $7,500 bonus for Bottorf, who served as interim director of the solid waste authority until Cera was hired.

The next meeting will be at 5 p.m. Dec. 10 at Undo's Restaurant in St. Clairsville.

(Gossett can be contacted at dgossett@heraldstaronline.com.)