Polivka votes yes, but vows 'to be tough'

WARREN — Trumbull County Commissioner Dan Polivka says he’s ready to move forward with renovation of the county-owned Park-Porter building downtown, despite his disagreement with buying the building in the first place.

At today’s commissioners meeting, Polivka voted along with his colleagues to award contracts to five companies that will handle various aspects of the $2.7 million project.

Since late 2005, when Commissioners Paul Heltzel and James Tsagaris voted to buy the building, Polivka has voted no on any legislation pertaining to the project, saying he thought the Gibson Building on West Market Street was the better building.

The Gibson Building is being prepared now for a move by the Social Security Administration’s Warren office.

Polivka said he voted yes for the Park-Porter contracts today “in the spirit of moving forward.”

But he added he will remain vigilant in watching that the costs of the renovation stay in check.

“I’m going to be tough on this, so keep it under budget,” he told David Zofko, the county’s chief building official, who has been assigned renovation project manager.

In other action, commissioners approved a resolution to accept for use a portion of the waterline project in the Southeast Water District on Smith-Stewart Road from Route 193 to Niles-Vienna Road in Vienna Township. That part of the project is complete and can begin operation right away, said Gary Newbrough, the county sanitary engineer.

The remaining part of the waterline will have to wait until work is complete on the Deer Trail water tank at the corner of Stillwagon and Niles-Vienna roads within a month or so, Newbrough said.

Then, the remaining part of the waterline can be used from there to Smith-Stewart Road.

Eventually, the $2.4 million project will allow the area to receive water from Niles. The area is served by Aqua Ohio now.