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WARREN TOWNSHIP -- Trustees have decided to retain two attorneys as they look at ways to prevent the Leavittsburg Dam from being demolished.
Trustees at a special meeting Monday met in executive session for about an hour to discuss hiring legal counsel. After the executive session, trustees voted to retain attorneys Tom Hull and Mike Dortch of Kravitz, Brown and Dortch LL.
Trustee Chairman Ryan Yoho said trustees are looking at options to the dam's removal such as putting in a rock ripple and fish ladder at the dam, which were recommended in a study by DLZ.
Yoho said the rock ripple and the fish ladder would provide safety elements at the dam and allow the river to flow more freely.
He said officials are looking at revoking the permit to remove the dam or filing an injunction.
The Trumbull County MetroParks board in December voted 4-1 to proceed with the dam's removal this year. The Ohio Environmental Protection Agency also has approved the dam's removal.
The Leavittsburg Dam is one of nine dams along the Mahoning River that are scheduled to be demolished. Dams in Lowellville, Struthers, and Summit Street in Warren already have been removed.
Many residents of Warren Township have expressed concerns about the dam being removed while many in Braceville have wanted it taken out to help prevent flooding in the township.
Warren Township resident Julia Shutt said she supports the trustees in hiring and meeting with attorneys to see what the next step can be to prevent the dam from being removed.
Trustee Ed Anthony said he is aware of concerns from Braceville residents, but does not believe the flooding situation will change if the dam is removed or not.
Yoho said there will be further discussion on the dam at 7 p.m. Jan. 28 at the regular trustees meeting.
Those in favor of tearing it down say it's a drowning hazard and the removal would enhance biological diversity in the Mahoning River. Trumbull County engineers have attended Metroparks meetings and said they're worried about a public health nuisance if the dam is removed because there are not proper sanitary sewers in the area.
The Trumbull County MetroParks board has expressed concerns about the liability and safety of the dam since they own it.