GIRARD Ryan, Melfi differ over dam's fate

Mayor James J. Melfi says the congressman-elect's proposal is premature.
By TIM YOVICH
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
GIRARD -- U.S. Rep.-elect Tim Ryan has informed the Army Corps of Engineers he doesn't want federal money to be used to breach the Girard Lake dam.
Instead, the Niles Democrat wants the money to be used to repair the dam.
"The citizens and the city council of Girard believe that this dam provides an important quality-of-life service to their community," Ryan wrote the Corps' Pittsburgh district.
Ryan noted the lake may eventually be used as a drinking-water source.
The Corps has received $1.14 million through the 1998 Energy & amp; Water Development Appropriations Act for use on the dam.
Study on dam
The Corps has completed a study of the aged structure to determine what to do with it. Kathleen Anderson, the Corps' district project manager, said the study will be made public before the first of the year.
The latest study was conducted at the request of Mayor James J. Melfi.
Col. Raymond Scrocco, district commander, has informed Ryan it's possible to breach the dam in a manner that it may be rebuilt by the city.
To safely retain the dam, the city would like to use the $1.14 million for repairs, rather than the proposed breach, Ryan wrote.
Ryan told the Corps he will make the change in the federal funding legislation after he takes office in January.
Melfi said Ryan is being premature because the study of what to do with the dam will be released soon. In addition, an appraisal of the two Girard lakes is being done.
Also, the mayor said, Ryan has never talked with him about what to do with the $1.14 million nor $575,000 the city has from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources earmarked to maintain the lakes.
It has been Melfi's position that the lakes don't increase the quality of life of city residents.
'Liability'
"It creates a great liability to our city," the mayor said.
The Corps and ODNR have said the dam could fail, resulting in property damage and possible loss of life to those who live below it.
A breach is estimated to cost $800,000, and rebuilding it would cost $10 million to $12 million.
Melfi repeated that he's against spending any city funds on the dam or increasing water rates for improvements.
yovich@vindy.com