AUSTINTOWN Trustee: Better road care is needed

There are more than 50 miles of county roads in the township.
By JEANNE STARMACK
VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER
AUSTINTOWN -- Township trustees say they will do their best to get the Mahoning County engineer's office to take better care of county roads in the township.
Trustee David Ditzler said that he got several calls from township residents Friday, the busy day-after-Thanksgiving shopping day.
"It was the first snow of the year and we were left in deplorable conditions," said Ditzler. He said that when he drove down Tippecanoe Road and U.S. Route 224 in Canfield and Boardman, those roads were "as dry as a summer day."
Ditzler said that he called the engineer's office Friday morning and couldn't get through and that he couldn't reach county Engineer Richard Marsico at home. Ditzler said he finally went to the engineer's office shortly before noon, but was unable to find anyone there.
Ditzler asked police Chief Lt. Bryan Kloss to find out how many accident reports there were Friday and Kloss said he thinks there were more than usual. Ditzler also told township administrator Michael Dockry to talk to the engineer's office about the problem.
"I got a lot of phone calls," Ditzler said. "Most people didn't realize they were county roads."
Ditzler said trouble spots were on Raccoon Road, Kirk Road and Mahoning Avenue.
Pritchard's advice
Trustee Warren Bo Pritchard said that with more than 50 miles of county roads in the township, it's important for township residents to report problems. He said township officials will make the county aware of complaints.
Pritchard said the township is not permitted to use Austintown road department funds to service county roads.
"I was recently on East Webb Road," he said. "I don't know how people drive up and down it."
Pritchard said roads will get worse as they go through the freezing and thawing season. "It's important if you see something to report it."
Trustee Lisa Oles said she thinks that township employees did a good job Friday of keeping township roads clear.
In other business, trustees heard from township zoning inspector Michael Kurilla that building could start any time at a new subdivision off Ohltown Road. Meander Glen will eventually include 72 single-family homes.
Kurilla also said a new Quaker Steak and Lube is planned on Interstate Boulevard. He said the restaurant will be approved as long as construction blueprints meet zoning requirements.