WARREN — Trumbull County Commissioners approved a one-year lease with Belmont Pines Hospital to establish a six-bed Psychiatric Residential Treatment Facility for 6 to 12-year-olds that require a level of care outside of a psychiatric hospital, but whose conditions do not allow them to return to their homes.

The $4,848 per month agreement with Belmont Pines will allow these children to be housed and treated at 2282 Reaves Road, which is a secure care building owned by the county. Belmont Pines will pay the county no more than $58,176 per year for the lease.

Timothy Schaffner, Children’s Services outgoing executive director, said the county has 25 beds for children needing psychiatric and emotional assistance at its own facility. Under federal law, it can have no more than that amount of beds to receive financial reimbursement.

Belmont Pines will be reimbursed for the treatment of children at the six-bed facility through a state program.

“There are approximately 140 children across Ohio that have had to be sent to facilities in other states because there were no available beds in Ohio where they could be sent,” Schaffner said. “One child from Trumbull was sent to Texas.”

Children may be sent to the residential treatment facility to receive help for an indefinite period of time, according to Schaffner. However, he added, the average stay is expected to be six to nine months depending on the level of care is needed.

This agreement with Belmont Pines will expand the area’s ability to treat those needing further help.

The commissioners:

Approved the hiring of Phillips Sekanick Architect to provide professional services for a feasibility study on three properties being considered to be used for a proposed 911 Center.

Honored two retired county employees, Debbie Santangelo, a 17-year employee of the Trumbull County Auditor’s Office, and Debra Gania, a 33-year utility account clerk III in the Trumbull County Sanitary Engineer’s Office.

Extended the contract with Boak & Sons Inc. to complete the roof replacement project for the Trumbull County Planning Commission Office due to inclement weather.

Commissioner Denny Malloy said a Hubbard community group attempting to save Coalburg Lake by getting funds needed to prevent the demolition of a dam owned by Coalburg Land Partners LLC will be holding a meeting at 11:30 a.m., Saturday at the Hubbard Municipal Building, 220 West Liberty St. to discuss their options. The group is hoping to raise the matching funds required for a High Hazard Potential Dam grant. The deadline for the grant application is in February.