MAHONING, SHENANGO VALLEYS Hermitage plans storm-water projects

All work should be started within 60 days, the city manager said.
By HAROLD GWIN
VINDICATOR SHARON BUREAU
HERMITAGE, Pa. -- The city is taking on 14 storm-water improvement projects designed to alleviate the type of flooding that hit the city in the severe rainstorms of July.
City Manager Gary Hinkson reviewed the $200,000 worth of projects in a city commissioners' workshop Tuesday.
Half of the projects can be started within 30 days and the other half within 60 days, Hinkson said, asking the commissioners for permission to move forward with the work.
They gave it, on the condition that any work involving outside contractors be brought back to them for approval.
Hinkson said most of the work will be done by city employees.
Hermitage, like many communities in eastern Ohio and western Pennsylvania, experienced a lot of storm-water flooding in residential areas, some resulting in sanitary sewer backups into homes.
Hinkson said the city had about 40 of those alone.
There were numerous more flooded basements from storm-water runoff.
Hinkson also outlined four additional "long-term" projects that are still being studied.
Those may require some extensive engineering or land acquisition before they can be considered, he said, adding that he has no cost estimate on them at this time.
Residents' comments
About a dozen residents attended the workshop.
Cy Quarterson of Carroll Lane said he's willing to help pick up the tab for materials needed for stream erosion on a waterway that runs through his property.
He said he's complained about increased water runoff through his land since the state widened Pa. Route 18 (South Hermitage Road) from two to five lanes about four years ago.
Ed Parimuha of Donald Road said his home got flooded with 20 inches of raw sewage in one of the July storms.
"I lost everything out of my basement," he said, estimating the damage at $15,000 to $20,000.
He said he's looking for some assurances that he won't be subjected to that type of flooding again.
Robert Weaver of Chesapeake Court said a storm drain on Cambridge Drive empties into a vacant field behind his home but the water doesn't stay there.
It runs into his yard and has eroded a ditch to the point where it is unsafe, he said.
That wasn't one of the projects on Hinkson's list, but he said the city would look into the problem.