TRUMBULL COUNTY MVSD favors Lordstown's plan to build bike path

Homeowners along Salt Springs Road in Niles were against the original bike path route.
By SHERRI L. SHAULIS
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
MINERAL RIDGE -- The Mahoning Valley Sanitary District's board of directors favors exploring a relationship with a local community to develop a bike path near the district's property.
Lordstown Mayor Michael Chaffee and Planning and Zoning Administrator Ron Barnhart met with the board Wednesday to ask for permission to construct a bike path around the perimeter of the MVSD property and the Meander Reservoir.
"I think this could be an absolutely spectacular bike path without being intrusive at all," Chaffee told board members.
The route
Lordstown officials have worked for several months to develop a route that would run from the administration building on Salt Springs Road and hook up with the Greenway bike path in Weathersfield Township. Niles is overseeing that portion of the trail, which will run from the Mahoning County line in Weathersfield Township through downtown Niles.
Lordstown officials had originally approached Niles leaders about constructing the path along the south side of Salt Springs Road until it met up with the Greenway path in Weathersfield Township. Niles residents on Salt Springs Road, however, were against the project, saying the path would cross too close to their homes.
Although Niles council had approved an agreement to work with Lordstown on that route, Mayor Ralph Infante did not sign the contract, citing residents' concerns.
Chaffee told MVSD directors that if the path circles the reservoir, there will be no disruption to area residents. He added that construction would take place in phases, and probably would not even begin until sometime in 2006.
"Our primary concern is going to be security, obviously," said Director Matt Blair.
Chaffee and MVSD Chief Engineer Tom Holloway noted that the proposed path would follow the existing property line around the MVSD and the reservoir, but be located outside the fence line.
Access, maintenance
Holloway also noted that if the path is constructed, Lordstown would be responsible for ensuring access for MVSD vehicles through gated areas around the property. He added that MVSD personnel would not be responsible for maintaining the path.
MVSD Atty. Chuck Richards said there are several legal issues that need to be examined before the board could grant approval to the project, "but I don't think there's anything that can't be overcome."
Richards agreed to meet with Lordstown Solicitor Paul Dutton to discuss the proposal.
slshaulis@vindy.com