WARREN TOWNSHIP — Trustees said a hearing on an appeal they filed earlier this month against the Ohio EPA’s decision to remove the Leavittsburg Dam should take place in the next two weeks.

“We will wait and see what happens on that,” Trustee Ed Anthony said at Tuesday’s meeting.

Trustees filed an appeal with the Environmental Review Appeals Commission to review the basis behind the Ohio EPA issuing the permit for the dam’s removal. In December, the Ohio EPA approved removal of the dam despite objections by trustees, residents and county officials. The Trumbull County MetroParks board, which owns the dam, voted 4-1 in December to proceed with the removal of the dam.

Trustee Ryan Yoho said trustees believe the Ohio EPA erred in issuing the permit, noting the dam’s removal will have detrimental consequences. He said a study found safer alternatives to removing the dam.

Trustees have said the alternatives are safer, cost-effective and help maintain the structural integrity of the Leavittsburg Dam.

Besides the appeal trustees filed, Trumbull County commissioners filed an injunction earlier this month to pause all activities at the dam site.

CENTER PROJECT

Anthony said plans are being set for April for two large sets of playground equipment, border area and rubber mulch that will be placed by the Johnson Community Center. American Rescue Plan funds covered the $68,700 cost for equipment.

He said volunteers are being asked to sign up to help assemble the equipment and set it up.

“These are two large sets of playground units to set up,” Anthony said.

Residents said LaBrae High School students could help to earn community service hours as part of their graduation requirement.

Yoho also reported that the $41 million Meadowbrook sanitary sewer project is set to start in 30 to 45 days. The project includes construction on a treatment plant in the first phase. He said A.P. O’Horo is constructing the sewer plant and Woodford Excavating is doing the first set of main sewer lines.

In other business, trustees:

• Appointed Kay Smith as zoning commission / zoning board of appeals secretary.

• Set spring cleanup May 14 to 16 at the dropoff site with May 12 and 13 for pickup for senior citizens. There will be a limit of eight tires per household. Road Supervisor David King said identification will be required to drop off items at the cleanup site. Only township residents are allowed to drop off items.

• Heard from police Chief Ben Harrell that solicitors need to contact police and zoning before going door-to-door. This includes representatives with Direct Energy and Spectrum.

• Heard from Fire Chief Joseph Natali they have posted for more firefighters due to shortage, He said there has been 84% coverage per shifts for January with assistance from off-duty responses.