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WARREN -- Warren Township Trustee Kay Anderson asked Trumbull County commissioners to support the township's effort to prevent the demolition of the Leavittsburg dam in the Mahoning River.
Anderson said the township for two years expressed concern the elimination would be a public safety hazard for the community.
Anderson said they've been told their concerns have been unmerited. The dam is visible from West Market Street near North Leavitt Road.
"Our voices have pretty much fallen on deaf ears," she said.
All three trustees attended Wednesday's commissioners' meeting.
"We have been told that the dam belongs to the (Trumbull County) MetroParks and they are worried about the dangers of someone drowning there," Anderson said. "We understand this is a liability to them."
She noted there should be other liabilities to consider before the dam is removed.
Township trustees have contacted DLZ Ohio Inc., a consulting firm, to look at alternatives.
"In their study, they found a possible effect of the dam removal on West Market Street," Anderson said.
"They found that the high volume of water rushing over the dam will keep the ground saturated. Once the dam is removed, the firm soil will not be stabilized and could affect the safety of the road. If this were to happen, we feel that there will be a liability for damaging a major roadway."
The removal of the dam also could affect wells used for drinking water in the area, she said.
Anderson said when the prison was built in Warren Township years ago, it affected the private wells of many township residents.
Some property owners whose wells were affected were helped when water lines were placed for Denman Tire Co., but, Anderson said, some properties with wells still are affected from this period.
Anderson also said the removal of the dam could endanger clams that are on the endangered species list.
"There are alternatives other than removal of the dam," she said. "We hope you will help to look at other alternatives."
Cantalamessa said Zachary Svette, executive director for MetroParks, told him he was willing to look at alternatives to the removal, but he has not received any.
Commissioner Niki Frenchko suggested they meet with the MetroParks board.
"We will be having a meeting on Feb. 21 at the Warren Township Administration building that members of the MetroParks Board could attend," she said.
Debbie Roth, a Warren Township community activist, said the studies are necessary to provide a sense of safety.
"We would appreciate your support to do studies looking at the health effects," she said.
Cantalamessa said he has no problem with providing a letter of support to delay the demolition of the dam until studies are completed.
Roth said they invited the MetroParks board, commissioners and the Trumbull County Engineer's and Sanitary Engineer's offices to the meeting.