Detention pond possible flood solver

The aim is to curb flooding of homes along Indian Run Creek.
By DENISE DICK
VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER
CANFIELD -- Township trustees are asking for an opinion from the Mahoning County prosecutor's office regarding their plans for a detention pond on township-owned property between Fairway and Westington drives and Jamison Place.
William Reese, trustee chairman, said the opinion will address whether the township can create a pond on a three-acre parcel that's considered park property as well as how to address wetlands issues.
Phase Three of the Indian Run drainage improvement project, estimated at $149,000, would be funded mostly by a state grant with township funds providing the balance.
The plan is to create a storm water detention pond on three acres of township property near Jamison Place to curb flooding in homes along Indian Run Creek.
The pond would remain empty until excess water flows through a pipeline already on the property.
The property was dedicated as open space at the time the development, which includes Fairway Drive, was created. It was deeded to the township within the past few months when the trustees realized procedure hadn't been completed years ago, Reese said.
Concerned residents
That's one of the issues that concerns residents, said Youngstown Atty. Alfred Fleming, who represents about 25 residents of Fairway Drive and the surrounding neighborhood.
When the property was transferred a couple of months ago to the township, the deed restriction requiring the property to remain a park or open space had been removed, he said.
The residents also have hired an engineer to look into the problem.
That engineer has told them the solution proposed by trustees would alleviate only 1.5 percent to 3 percent of the area's flooding problems, Fleming said.
"The township's position is that this is one cog in the wheel of the solution to the problem," the attorney said. "We don't think the destruction of park property to resolve 1 1/2 to 3 percent of the problem is an appropriate solution to the flooding."
Residents also contend the property is within a wetlands.
Fleming said the engineer retained by the residents will develop an alternative suggestion to curb flooding to present to the township.
Don Brothers, who has lived on Fairway Drive for 37 years, is one of the residents Fleming represents.
"I'm sure that the three trustees are nice people, and they have the best interests of the township and the area in mind," he said. "It's not a personal thing."
But he's concerned the project wasn't properly planned by the consultant, MS Consultants.
Reese said while some oppose the idea, many along Indian Run Creek who've been hit by flooding in recent years are anxious for the project to get started.