GIRARD Sewage plant investigation nets no criminal charges

One sewage treatment plant worker refused to take a polygraph test.
By TIM YOVICH
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
GIRARD -- The police investigation into flooding at the sewage treatment plant is complete with no criminal charges filed, an investigator says.
"That's the end of the investigation," police Capt. Frank Bigowsky said Wednesday.
A report of the probe by Detective John Norman has been turned over to the city administration.
Mayor James J. Melfi sought the investigation when the basement of the South State Street facility flooded during an Oct. 14 thunderstorm.
When the water subsided, it was found that two of four pumps had been switched off.
As a result, water and sewage backed up into the basement, and liquid sewage was released into Little Squaw Creek that flows into the Mahoning River.
Bigowsky said the plant employees were cooperative during the investigation, as well as subcontractors who were doing work at the plant.
The report, Bigowsky said, points out that procedures weren't followed and checks weren't made to assure that tasks were completed.
"That's an issue they [the administration] will have to deal with," Bigowsky said.
Possible explanations
The captain explained that someone may have intentionally shut off the two pumps, but someone should have checked and didn't, or missed it.
The captain also noted that the plant shortcomings could have been identified in an internal investigation rather than calling in police.
The administration "jumped the gun," Bigowsky asserted, in seeking the police investigation.
"There was no admission of criminal or negligent behavior," Bigowsky noted.
He said that the rainfall the night of the damage was so intense that the basement may have flooded with all four pumps operating.
Melfi said Wednesday that all but one employee agreed to take a lie-detector test during the investigation of the event that caused about $25,000 damage.
The cost to make the repairs will be taken from the sewer fund.
The mayor explained that based on the report, security will be tightened with some employees restricted to certain areas of the plant and procedures changed, at the very least.
yovich@vindy.com