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Warren Township reviews options for dam

WARREN TOWNSHIP — Trustees are working with the Trumbull County commissioners to hold a future meeting with Gov. Mike DeWine and representatives of the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency regarding the Leavittsburg dam.

Last month, the Trumbull County MetroParks board voted 4-1 to proceed with the removal of the dam this year, but some officials and residents are not in agreement with that. Trustee Ed Anthony said they would like to have public meetings about the dam with input from the EPA and others.

He said trustees also have considered legal action.

Trustee Chairman Ryan Yoho said trustees and many residents feel there are viable options to not removing the dam, such as building a rock ripple ramp below the dam or a fish bypass around it, which will help water levels.

A study done by DLZ, an Akron-based engineering firm, had indicated several benefits to keep the dam, including the stability of the riverbank, vegetation, roads and retaining walls. Demolishing the dam, the study claims, also could negatively affect water wells.

The DLZ study also stated that removing the dam will not change water levels during a 100-year flood event.

The Ohio EPA previously approved $3.2 million to remove the Leavittsburg dam and the sediment around it.

Warren Township residents want the dam to stay, but neighboring Braceville residents want it removed.

Resident Shawn Shook of Warren Township said the MetroParks board made their decision.

“I think it is impossible at this point to get them to change now. I don’t think the majority of that board will go back on their decision they just made,” he said.

Resident George Gordon of Braceville said he will ask Braceville trustees to get more involved with the matter and be included in the discussions since many Braceville residents have said they want the dam removed to help alleviate constant flooding in the township.

Gordon said at a November Braceville trustees meeting, 15 residents attended to voice concerns wanting the dam removed.

Gordon said he will speak to Braceville trustees at an upcoming meeting to ask them for representation from the board at future meetings.

Anthony said Warren Township trustees want to be open at all meetings and hear from both sides about the dam. He agreed that the metroparks board will likely not change their votes.

“I feel it would be beneficial to have residents from both townships attend the meetings together. Anyone along the river, whether Braceville, Warren Township, Newton Falls or Warren city should come to the meetings. This will affect everybody,” Anthony said.

Also at Tuesday’s meeting, Shook asked why the Dec. 23 end-of-year meeting wasn’t advertised to the public and questioned if it was legal and if all the action taken was valid.

Anthony said the meeting was posted on the electronic sign outside the administration building and also on a notice on the door of the building, so there was prior notice.

Officials said they also emailed a meeting notice to the newspaper, but newspaper staff couldn’t say for sure if it was received.

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