Trustees, residents discuss water-district advantages

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Robyn Gallitto

Boardman, Canfield and Austintown residents gathered for information.

CANFIELD — Representatives from three neighboring townships want residents to feel comfortable with their plan for a joint water and stormwater district.

Residents and trustees from Austintown, Boardman and Canfield townships gathered Thursday at Canfield Township Hall to discuss what forming the district will mean.

Boardman Trustee Robyn Gallitto said she felt the meeting was informative, and she hopes the public understands the district will help them.

“It’s three communities working together to address water and stormwater needs,” she said.

Eric Luckage and John Albers, of Albers and Albers law firm in Columbus, gave a presentation of what the district is and what its formation will mean for the townships.

Luckage said many residents have contacted their respective trustees about flooding and stormwater issues, and forming the joint district would help all three townships alleviate the problems they couldn’t solve on their own.

“The communities need assistance with stormwater issues, and each township has made efforts to correct those problems,” he said. “However, the creation of the district will provide a coordinated central authority to focus on the resolution of such issues and to finance such efforts.”

Albers said the formation of the district will take three to four months, but it could be one to two years before it is fully operational.

He said it’s important that residents support the district formation because, though it may take time, it will work.

“I know how frustrated you all are now,” he said. “But hopefully down the road, you’re not still in this position.”

For some residents who experience regular flooding, however, that’s not enough.

Amy Fitchet of Boardman said she’s lived on Glenwood Avenue for 25 years and feels helpless when it comes to flooding on her property.

“It’s just insane, and if there’s something we could do, it would be done,” she said. “It’s almost like our properties don’t matter. I’ve tried dealing with the county, but they basically thumb their noses at me. I don’t know what else to do.”

Luckage said the district would be able to develop its own water supply or purchase water services from any entity willing to sell.

Albers said he doesn’t know what the cost of the district will be to residents, if any.

“A year ago, I would have said you’ll probably pay something for a stormwater project,” he said. “But now there’s a pot of grant money available for these projects.”

Austintown Trustee Dave Ditzler said residents should understand that a major benefit of forming the district is that it will be easier for the townships to secure grant money to fund stormwater projects.

“The grant money will come down to regional efforts, not individual efforts,” he said. “Joined together, we’ll have more clout when it comes to securing funds for new projects.”

Canfield Trustee Randy Brashen said forming the district will help the townships avoid annexation or being forced to join a Joint Economic Development District with Youngstown.

“We are still concerned about Youngstown putting us in a corner,” he said. “That was our initial reason to get involved in this.”

Jerry Yablonkai, a 12-year resident of Austintown, said though he still doesn’t know exactly what will come of the district, he thought the meeting was informative and helpful.

“I hope the district allows for better services delivered to the residents, including cheaper water and better storm-sewer retention,” he said.

efranco@vindy.com