Braceville Township road project to resume

County to complete resurfacing work once bill is paid

WARREN -- A resurfacing project on Anderson Anthony Road in Braceville that was paused after a property owner twice in two days confronted county workers may be completed in the next two to three weeks, according to Trumbull County Engineer Randy Smith.

Smith warned, however, he would not restart the project until Warren Township pays the cost required to get the equipment, material and workers back to the road project site.

The cause of the delay is still under dispute as Warren Township police Chief Ben E. Harrell and Trustee Edward Anthony told Commissioners Denny Malloy and Mauro Cantalamessa that Harrell assured Smith from the beginning that police protection would be guaranteed to workers while they complete the project.

Smith ordered his workers to stop working on 850 feet of a 4,700-foot project Aug. 3 after a property owner confronted the resurfacing crew shortly after one of the vehicles became stuck on the property. One day before, the same property owner confronted the workers, but, at that time, threatened to kill one of them, according to Smith.

Harrell, during Wednesday's commissioners' workshop, told commissioners he was not informed of the first confrontation between the property owner and county employees until he went to the scene on the second day.

Harrell took statements from the engineer's office workers and the property owners that day. In addition, Harrell advised each side they had a right to file charges with the local prosecutor office.

Since none of his officers saw the incidents, Harrell said the two sides would have to file charges on their own.

After reviewing statements, prosecutors told them no charges would be filed on either side.

Harrell told commissioners he advised Smith, while at the scene, that his department would stay at the work site while workers completed their work.

Smith disputes this. He said the only thing Harrell asked him if he had knowledge of who the property owner was.

Smith told commissioners by telephone Wednesday after the Warren Township representatives left the meeting there was no offer to provide police protection for his employees that day, nor, at any other time since the incident.

During a recent commissioners meeting, attorney Jeff Goodman, who does some personnel work for the engineer's office, said he attempted to contact the police chief by mail about the incident.

Goodman said Harrell did not respond.

Harrell said he did not respond to Goodman's letter because he personally told Smith he would have sat at the construction site that day to make sure there was no further incident.

Anthony told commissioners his board was advised not to send a letter in response to Goodman, because he is sometimes contracted by the township to do work for them. There is a concern there may be a conflict because Goodman works with both sides on different matters.

Smith responded, suggesting township trustees and Harrell know where his office is located and they know his office's telephone number, so there is no reason why he could not have been contacted personally.

In the meantime, it was discovered the property in question is actually in Braceville, not in Warren Township. The two communities border one another, and the road project is in both community.

Smith told commissioners he has been in contact with the Braceville Police Department, which, if their schedules coincide, will provide police protection while the work is completed.

The engineer asked Malloy to act as a go-between between his office and township officials to ensure Warren Township will pay for cost of restarting the road project, which is projected to be between $1,800 and $1,950.

Malloy said he was told by Warren Township Trustee Ryan Yoho trustees would be "amicable" to paying to get the engineer's office employees back to the site to complete the work.

Malloy agreed to make a phone call.

Smith said he would not begin the work until Warren Township paid this cost.

County Commissioner Mauro Cantalamessa suggested the engineer send Warren Township the bill.

Smith said he was told the trustees already agreed to pay the cost.

"I have no reason to believe they would not," he said. "I do not believe all of the county's taxpayers should have to pay this cost."

"An invoice already has been sent," Smith said.

It would take no more than a half a day to complete the work, according to Smith.

However, Trustee Kay Anderson was unaware of any resolution that calls for the township to pay the engineer's office to restart the project.

Said Anthony, "we have not had a meeting in which a cost was given. I am not saying we would not be willing to listen, but we would have to meet. Really, we should talk to Braceville, because this is a joint project affecting both communities."