Sludge removal service files suit

WARREN — A local company has sued the Mahoning County Sanitary Engineering Department, claiming that department owes $19,032 for sludge removal services.

Shafer Industrial Services Inc. of Warren says it provided the services at one of the sanitary engineer’s sewage treatment plants and that the sanitary engineer is in breach of contract.

The company filed the suit earlier this week in Trumbull County Common Pleas Court for services the company said it rendered at Mahoning County’s Meander Waste Water Treatment Plant, which is on state Route 46 in the Trumbull County portion of Mineral Ridge.

Mahoning County Prosecutor Paul J. Gains, whose office defends the county in civil lawsuits, declined to comment; and Joseph Warino, county sanitary engineer, did not return a call seeking comment. The case is assigned to Judge Andrew Logan.

Shafer said Mahoning’s sanitary engineer office entered into a contract May 11 with the company to remove sludge from the treatment plant and haul it to a landfill.

Shafer said the county breached the contract by preventing the company from completing its duties, for which the company said it would have been paid at least $70,000 had the contract not been broken.

The suit seeks payment of the $19,032 plus compensatory damages in excess of $25,000, court costs, interest and lawyer fees.