Public library in Poland ends up getting soaked

A consulting company will give advice on the flooding problem.
By JOHN W. GOODWIN Jr.
VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER
POLAND -- Library officials are again battling to keep water out of the Poland Library's lower level.
The library came close to flooding earlier this year. Officials said sandbags and airtight doors helped to keep the water out then.
Only a small amount of water soaked the carpets then.
Those at the library this morning said the flooding overnight was much worse.
By 8 a.m. today, most of the parking lot on South Main Street was still submerged. Sandbags put in place late Wednesday still lined the side of the building.
Yellow Creek, which runs alongside the parking lot, could be seen flowing fast and at a higher than normal level.
Water gets in
Water had completely covered the library parking lot in the village overnight. Water marks could be seen on the lower half of the doors on the building where the water crested then withdrew.
Several inches of water got into the lower level of the building, soaking the conference room, Friends of the Library Bookstore and Chapters Cafe. Crews with machines were working as early as 7:30 a.m. to rid the building of water and dry the carpeting.
Bob Mastriana of 4M Company Architects, architects and planners of the building, was on hand at 8 a.m. assessing the damage. He said repair costs should be minimal because all wet furniture and carpeting are salvageable.
He said some bricks on the side of the building washed away and need replacing.
"This has been our labor of love, our careers, plus we are residents here. We are just very concerned about it," Mastriana said.
Flood plain
Mastriana said the land on which the library sits is 11/2 feet above the 100-year flood plain. He said the water went 11/2 feet above the land level overnight.
Mastriana said one of the contributing factors to the library's flooding is increasing amounts of asphalt in developments instead of grass in surrounding communities, especially Boardman. He said flooding is a communitywide issue.
"Everyone needs to come together and solve this problem," he said.
Report on suggestions
Janet Loew, library spokesman, said a consulting firm, Wallace and Pancher of Hermitage, are finishing a report that includes suggestions on how to deal with flooding at the library. Officials expect the report by next week.
Loew said officials do not know what's in the report but were told some of the suggestions are within the power of library officials while other things that will curb flooding are beyond their control.
Loew said officials are waiting on the report before any decision is made on how to deal with the flooding problem.