Officials OK funds for flood projects

One trustee wanted to wait to approve the pact until a new trustee takes office.
By DENISE DICK
VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER
BOARDMAN -- Trustees approved paying a Youngstown engineering firm $233,000 for work on six anticipated projects aimed at flood control.
MS Consultants Inc. will perform preliminary engineering design, computer modeling, final design, contract administration and inspection of the storm water management projects.
The work and payment to MS is contingent on trustees appropriating $1.25 million for the projects in next year's budget.
At a meeting in September, trustees agreed to earmark $1.25 million for the projects. They are:
UThe Ewing Road-Brookfield Avenue retention area, which would address flooding issues there and in the Ridgewood Estates housing development.
UThe South Shore Drive retention project, which involves cleaning out a retention pond.
UThe Tara Drive-Alverne Drive retention area on Boardman Park property.
UImproving retention areas along Westview Drive.
UImproving retention areas behind the Shops at Boardman Park.
UEnlargement of a storm sewer pipe at Ridgefield Avenue-Midwood Circle.
Cost-saving move
Curt B. Seditz, township administrator, and Larry Wilson, road superintendent, said the hope is that by advertising for bids for the work on all six projects as one, the cost may be less than the projected $1.25 million.
Trustee Kathy Miller voted against the agreement, with Tom Costello and Elaine Mancini approving it.
Miller said that because of the large sum, she'd prefer to wait to vote on the agreement next year when Robyn Gallitto, trustee-elect, is in office.
Seditz said he recommends proceeding as soon as possible to get it done.
Miller noted the trustees haven't even approved the 2006 budget with the $1.25 million yet.
"We haven't done the appropriation any way so what's the rush?" she said.
Mancini said flooding is something the township has been working on for a long time. Costello agreed.
"I can see no reason not to go forward with this," he said. "We've been discussing this since the floods of 2003."