WARREN TOWNSHIP — Trustees have approved entering into a contract with DLZ Services to conduct a study of the Leavittsburg Dam.

Trustee Ed Anthony said at Tuesday’s meeting the study is $40,000, with the Trumbull County commissioners approving $30,000 and the Trumbull County Engineer’s Office approving $10,000.

Anthony said trustees want to have the study done to see if there are alternatives to taking down the dam in 2025. The dam is owned by the Trumbull County MetroParks.

Braceville resident George Gordon, a zoning commission member in that township, asked trustees to work with Braceville trustees since the dam does affect Braceville.

“When the Mahoning River rises and gets close to flood stage, it causes flooding in Eagle Creek Road where I live. There is always a lot of flooding and property damage in that area,” he said.

Gordon said there is flooding at Thomas Swift MetroPark, Riverview Golf Course, Tessler Golf Course, the LaBrae Athletic Club ballfields, Braceville hunting area off state Route 5, bridges and many farms.

He said there are concerns for the safety of the bridge by the dam off North Leavitt Road and fears it may cave in.

“When the Mahoning River backs up and causes Eagle Creek Road to back up and flood, there are concerns when the roads and bridges in Braceville get damaged. We have to close the road and put barricades up,” Gordon said.

He said officials will see what alternative solutions the study may recommend.

In other business, resident Mike Scott of Briggs Road and others brought to trustees and the zoning officials’ attention vacant homes on Briggs and Pendleton roads that are in bad condition and attracting rats, raccoons and mice.

Scott said a cat was attacked by raccoons, and cats have left dead rats and mice at their home.

Anthony said the zoning department will check into the properties.

Also, trustees approved an agreement with Weimer Enterprises of Newton Falls at $11,500 to clear a section of Pinewood Cemetery off Hewitt Gifford Road for additional space for graves. Anthony said the cemetery is running out of space.

American Rescue Plan funds will be used for the work, he said.