CANFIELD Parks panel rejects plan for a transmission line

CANFIELD -- Mill Creek MetroParks commissioners have rejected for a second time a proposal put forth last fall by FirstEnergy East Ohio Gas to run a transmission line through a section of park property.
The line, dicussed by the park board Monday, would run through Hitchcock Woods, off Hitchcock Road in Boardman.
The line would supply power to a proposed substation near Western Reserve and Tippecanoe roads to help meet demands created by new housing in Canfield, according to Stephen Bender, real estate representative for FirstEnergy.
It also would address the needs of an anticipated population growth expected in southern Mahoning County, he said.
The proposed location was chosen to prevent interference with a private air strip on Western Reserve Road. Bender said a line could interfere with the flight path of small planes.
The proposal, however, didn't fly with the board, as well as others at the meeting.
"The line would interfere with the environmental aspects of the park and is unsightly. We're doing our best to have fewer infringements," said Virginia Dailey, one of the three park commissioners.
Harry Meshel, another commissioner, expressed concern about the effects of suburban encroachment on the park's lakes and other water sources. He did not elaborate.