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HOWLAND -- Residents of Braceville and Warren townships expressed concerns Thursday to Trumbull County MetroParks board members over the Leavittsburg dam's future with some wanting the dam to remain and others wanting it removed.
In December, the MetroParks board voted 4-1 to proceed with the dam's removal, citing liability concerns since the MetroParks owns the dam, as well as for safety. Residents have died at low-head dams including at the Summit Street Dam in Warren, where a woman went into the water and later died, and a dam at Willow Grove Park in Lisbon, where a man and two boys drowned.
Braceville residents Sherry and Nick Moliterno said they are concerned about continual flooding in many parts of Braceville which they believe will lessen with the dam removal, and also the safety of people on the Mahoning River by the dam.
Sherry Moliterno said she attended a recent Trumbull County commissioners meeting to address the pros and cons of the dam's removal proposed by DLZ and a study of the dam, which was paid for by the commissioners and Warren Township trustees.
"The study showed advantages and disadvantages to taking the dam out. I addressed my concerns to the commissioners since there are two new ones. We feel that the dam being taken out will help with the flooding problems that we have had," she said, adding there are also safety concerns.
She said when there are heavy rains the Mahoning River rises quickly, leading to flooding.
The Moliternos said they understand there are differing views on both sides of the issue but wanted to make sure their view of supporting the dam's removal was heard by the MetroParks.
Nicolette Darkangelo, MetroParks board vice chairwoman, read a statement that while the board will listen to concerns from anyone wanting to address the board, they cannot comment on the matter referring any questions to their legal counsel Elizabeth Farbman.
Darkangelo said the Warren Township trustees who are against the dam's removal are working with legal counsel.
"We appreciate and will continue to listen to any community insight and comments at our regular board meetings," Darkangelo said.
Board chairman Randy Fabrizio said the board cannot respond to any questions.
Board member John Brown, a councilman in Warren, said people need to look at the site of the former dam off Summit Street to see how little the water has dropped since the dam's removal, noting this will be similar to the Leavittsburg dam.
In other business, the board passed a resolution requesting funds from the Ohio Department of Transportation for projects in the MetroParks, such as paving park parking lots and driveways.
Park Executive Director Zach Svette said the parks receive $100,000 every two years with those funds used for sealing parking lots and hunting area parking spaces.
He said the park office parking lot and drive will be completed this summer.
Svette said that the sled hill in Cortland has been used more this winter with the increased snow, compared to the past milder winters.
He said if the parks receive fewer funds from the county, the sled hill will be the only one not affected since Cortland maintains it.
Svette said the other sled hills, bike trail, Canoe City and Clarence Darrow Park the MetroParks maintain will be affected if there are fewer funds from the county.
In other business, the board:
• Heard from Svette the MetroParks is proceeding with using property off Route 5 and near Ohio Turnpike as park property, He said currently it is wetlands.
• Named Fabrizio as chairman and Darkangelo as vice chairwoman.
• Set meetings for 4:15 p.m. fourth Thursday of each month at park offices, North River Road, Howland.
• Named Svette as interim secretary for the board meetings through 2025.
• Reported Brown was sworn in to a new term on the board in December.
• Approved receiving legal services from the county prosecutor's office for $1 for 2025. Officials noted the services will not be for the Leavittsburg Dam which is being handled by separate legal counsel.