WARREN TOWNSHIP — Township trustees and residents are hoping a ripple rock option can be considered instead of the removal of the Leavittsburg dam.

Trustees told 20 residents they would like the Trumbull County MetroParks board to reconsider the demolition and look at other possible options such as the ripple rock.

The metroparks board voted 4-1 in December to proceed with the dam’s removal.

Trustee Ed Anthony said trustees would like to have a meeting with the county commissioners, the metroparks board and the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency to look at alternatives.

Trustees have retained two attorneys in the event legal action is needed in the future.

He said trustees will follow the wishes of the residents, with most against the dam’s removal based on comments and calls they have received.

Residents Faye Smith and Jim Hetzler said the ripple rock option would be a good alternative and a compromise for both sides instead of taking out the dam. A ripple rock is a structure that forms on sediment surfaces to the movement of water across them.The rocks act as a way to control the flow of the water.

Smith and Hetzler said they are concerned if the dam is removed, there will be pollutants because of items that have been dumped over the years into the river.

“I don’t like the idea of people who do not live here coming to our township and telling us what to do with what we have. I have lived by the river for 75 years and have boated and fished. The river is a beautiful natural resource we have. To remove the dam will be a crying shame,” Hetzler said.

The metroparks board has expressed concern about liability if the dam stays in since the metroparks owns the dam.

Smith said the ripple rock would help take away the liability.

Trustee Chairman Ryan Yoho said the Leavittsburg dam was installed not for flooding purposes, but for industry.

Smith suggested flood barriers, such as berms or dikes, are needed and federal funding can be sought for them.

Resident Tim Colarik said he and other residents support the dam’s removal, stating for years he has had flooding problems.

“I have had major flooding in 2003, 2013 and 2017. In 2013, the water was 17 feet high with 2 feet of water in my basement and it damaged my circuit board on my furnace,” he said.

Resident Nancy Ritz said the majority of residents are adamant about keeping the dam.

Resident Matthew Briggs thanked trustees for listening to people against and for the dam’s removal.

“It is important to listen to what the residents want,” he said.

Briggs asked if the secondary wooden dam was being removed in addition to the low head dam.

Yoho said both dams are being taken out. He said the wooden dam is 200 yards from the larger dam.

WORK AT CENTER

In other business, the township will seek an Ohio NatureWorks grant for additional equipment and upgrades at Johnson Community Center. Anthony said in 2024, the township was able to use American Rescue Plan funds to get $68,000 in playground equipment.

He said plans for 2025 are to get picnic tables and chairs, a flagpole and a pavilion

“There will be a lot of work, so we need volunteers to help with projects this year,” Anthony said.