LOWER GIRARD LAKE Developer offers proposal hinging on repair of dam

The mayor has sent the letter to the Army Corps of Engineers asking for a study on partially breaching the dam.
By TIM YOVICH
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
GIRARD -- A developer has offered to seek annexation of 70 acres from Liberty Township into the city if water remains in Lower Girard Lake.
"I'm not trying to blackmail you," Jim Coates, developer of Oakwood Estates, told city council Monday.
Coates, who lives on Oakwood Drive in Weathersfield Township and also owns area carwashes, made the proposal during a long debate on what to do with the lake and its aged, deteriorating dam.
Although council's property research committee recommended the concrete structure be partially breached while a study is done on how to repair it, no formal action on the recommendation was taken.
Councilman Charles Doran, D-4th, property committee chairman, said he wants the administration and lawmakers to look over the committee proposal.
Although the proposal does not specify that the dam be partially breached and then repaired, Councilman John Moliterno, D-at-large, a committee member, said that's the committee's recommendation.
It also calls for the long-term construction of the water filtration plant with the idea of selling water to the area.
Grant deadline
Meanwhile, the Army Corps of Engineers has given the city a Wednesday deadline to make a decision on how to use a $1.14 million federal grant toward solving problems with the dam or loose the money.
On Friday, Mayor James J. Melfi sent a letter to the corps asking it to perform a study on the feasibility of partially breaching the dam.
Those who have bought property around the lake don't want to see the dam emptied, saying such a move would decrease the value of their property.
In making his offer, Coates told council the city will realize $200,000 quarterly in property taxes once the 70 acres on the west side of the lake is developed residentially.
Coates said he wants to see the dam repaired using $1.7 million the city has in state and federal funds.
Coates said his 50-acre Oakwood Estates in Weathersfield Township has 104 lots, 69 of which have been sold.
It generates $161,700 a year in property taxes.
However, Melfi pointed out that the city wouldn't benefit from the property taxes because most of them are paid to the school district.
Safety
The corps is proposing to reduce the level of the lake in November before it removes any portion of the dam, which it says "remains unsafe."
How the water level will be reduced isn't clear since all but one of the five or six valves don't work.
While some residents agreed with Coates that the dam shouldn't be breached, Ed Semple, who lives just below the dam, asked council to first consider the safety of taxpayers.
Although Semple of Oak Street agreed that people who have bought land around the lake have made a significant investment, he said he's concerned about the safety of his family.
"We are not going to take any unnecessary risks," responded Louis J. Adovasio, council president.
yovich@vindy.com