GIRARD Money deadline for dam extended

A councilman says he didn't know the mayor didn't ask for a delay in emptying the lake.
By TIM YOVICH
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
GIRARD -- The Army Corps of Engineers will extend its deadline to withdraw $1.14 million designated for work on Lower Girard Lake dam.
The Corps wants to breach the dam because it believes the structure is unsafe. It gave the city until today to approve a plan for the dam or take back $1.14 million.
But 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.
Les Dixon, the Corps' deputy district engineer for project management in Pittsburgh, said today granting the extension is not a problem as long as the city is working to resolve the issue.
Mayor James J. Melfi sent a letter Friday asking the Corps to perform a study on partly breaching the aging and deteriorating concrete structure.
"I am sure that the study will inform the city of Girard that if a partial breach occurs, the structural integrity of the dam will not be compromised, the mayor wrote.
"I anticipate we would accommodate his request," Dixon said.
Unsure of study
Dixon said he doesn't know yet if the Corps will conduct a study to determine if a partial breach can be done because he hasn't seen Melfi's request.
"From were I sit, the city and the state own the problem," he said.
Melfi's letter was directed to Kathleen Anderson, project manager for the Corps.
Liane Freedman, Corps' spokeswoman in Pittsburgh, said Tuesday that the Corps was unaware of Melfi's letter, and Anderson will not be returning to her office until Thursday.
Freedman said Tuesday the $1.14 million would be withdrawn today.
Partial breach recommended
On Monday, city council's property research committee recommended a partial breach of the dam so it can be repaired eventually, but council took no formal action on the recommendation despite the Corps' insistence that the $1.14 million grant would be taken back and "reprogrammed" somewhere else.
Lawmakers have asked the city law director to prepare a new project cooperation agreement for a partial breach or repair of the dam's valves.
Charles Doran, D-4th, chairman of council's property committee, said legislation was not prepared for formal consideration by council Monday because of the mayor's letter.
"We're looking for an extension [of the deadline]," Doran said Tuesday.
Doran, however, said he didn't know the mayor's letter seeking the partial breach didn't ask for a delay in emptying the lake in November in anticipation of the dam's demolition.
A total breach has never been approved by council, the councilman said.
"I'm exhausted on this issue. I have said everything I can to council," Melfi asserted.
Lake to be drained
Regardless of whether the dam is breached, partly or totally, the lake will have to be drained, Melfi said.
In a total breach, the lake would be drained and the dam removed.
Using a partial breach, the lake would be emptied and faulty portions of the dam removed. If money is eventually made available, the structure would be repaired.
"Either way, the lake would be empty for a long time," Melfi said.
yovich@vindy.com