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HOWLAND -- Members of the Trumbull County Metroparks board plan to attend a meeting of the Trumbull County Commissioners to express their need for additional money next year for operation of the parks.
Board President Randy Fabrizio said he and board member Robert Ward will speak to the commissioners.
'We need to let them know our concerns and what we need for the parks. We should at least make an attempt,'' Fabrizio said.
He said he knows all county departments will be submitting their budget needs for next year.
Ward said it is important to be proactive and address concerns ahead of time since the parks need two part-time staffers for next year.
Fabrizio said an additional worker will be needed since more maintenance will be needed for the bike trail, which had a recent connection added between Niles and Warren.
"The larger projects need to be addressed," Fabrizio said. "We need to discuss the log cabin and the additional bike trail in anticipation of the budget hearings. We also need additional personnel."
Zachary Svette, executive director of the Metroparks for the past 19 years, said the budgets need to be submitted by late October with hearings in November. The commissioners have until the end of March to make a decision.
Svette said there will now be an additional 4 miles of bike trail to maintain and mow on both sides.
"We need to have a second person on staff to help specifically with the bike trail and the parks,'' he said.
Fabrizio said they plan to also discuss the historic cabin in Braceville with the commissioners. He said $300,000 is needed for the restoration.
He said $50,000 will also be needed for the bike trail.
Svette said plans are to work with Howland Township to get an Americans with Disabilities-compliant ramp installed at the park offices off North River Road.
He said the dam removal will be completed this year, as well as the addition to the bike trail.
Svette said this year the parks received $130,000 for operations.
LOG CABIN
Fabrizio said there were talks between Braceville officials and historical society members and the commissioners on restoration of the log cabin with costs at $300,000 and the bike trail $50,000.
He said in addition to a maintenance worker, an office person also is needed.
Svette said the Metroparks will ask for funds for operations of the parks and then $350,000 for the capital projects.
"The goal is to see what we can get settled before the budget hearings and find out what the commissioners want to do with the log cabin," Fabrizio said. "We can at least discuss things with the commissioners and try to get a plan in place.''
Svette said he estimates, based on budget for the park, a need for $192,900 for operations with two other employees and equipment.
Also, Svette announced a ribbon cutting at 9 a.m. Oct. 9 at the Niles bike trail with the completion of Phase 4 of the trail connecting Niles and Warren.
Svette said he is also looking at funds for a sidewalk project along Educational Highway near Clarence Darrow Park.
He said available road tax funds have been used for gravel parking lots at the different hunting areas.
Svette said plans are to also honor board member John Brown, who has served since 2009.