HOWLAND Flooding complaints raised as FEMA outlines process

The township should do more to prevent flooding, some residents said.
By ANGELA V. WOODHULL
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
HOWLAND -- The Federal Emergency Management Agency wants township disaster victims to call or stop by its flood relief center at 418 Main Avenue S.W. in Warren.
FEMA's JoAnn Oram addressed about 50 Howland residents Wednesday evening in the township hall to explain FEMA's qualifying process.
Grants for home repairs, rental payments or hotel reimbursements -- even disaster-related unemployment -- are just some of the benefits available.
Within seven to 10 days after paperwork is submitted, a FEMA representative visits the home to assess damage. The dwelling must be the primary residence to qualify. "I want to encourage you to call. We don't know where you are until you call us," Oram emphasized.
Complaints to officials
Some residents expect the township to take a more active role in repairs.
"We live on [state] Route 46," James McMinn, 87, said. "We got 2 feet of water in our basement. I've been trying to get Howland Township for years to increase the drainage pipe. They can even dig a ditch for all I care."
McMinn and his wife, Eleanor, 81, lost many precious items in last month's flood. "We had to replace our washer and dryer. We lost new Christmas gifts; our luggage was ruined; even our report cards from first grade on."
Trustee Richard E. Orwig emphasized that the township has limited powers. "People don't understand that we can't clean ditches on the back of their property. There's nothing we as a township can do."
Tom Savu, 66, complained that raw sewage was backing up into his basement. "My wife and I are afraid to leave our house. If it starts to rain, we run home and grab the mop."
Thomas Holloway, Trumbull County sanitary engineer, and his assistant, Bill Durst, promised to visit the residence and "take a look."
"We've been touring the township all over," township Administrator Darlene St. George said.
Other matters
Trustees announced that the township has declared a vacant building at 2750 Orchard Ave. S.E. structurally defective and a public nuisance. The township will repair or bulldoze the property and charge the owner of record, Richard E. Osmon, if repairs are not made within 30 days.
The Children's Rehabilitation Center, built in 1969, plans to expand and renovate at 885 Howland-Wilson Road N.E. It provides educational and therapeutic services to medically fragile and disabled children and their families.
Patrolman Albert Ray was promoted to sergeant. Ray's family watched as Chief Paul S. Monroe presented him with a plaque.