43
Mahoning prosecutor awaits word from company on road restoration
By Mary Grzebieniak
NEW SPRINGFIELD
The Mahoning County Prosecutor’s office is waiting for a response to a letter asking a local company to restore three roads according to a 1994 contract, Springfield Township trustees say.
So far, there’s been no response from Republic Services on its plans to restore the roads now that the plant is idle, the officials said during their meeting Wednesday.
Trustee Gerald Guterba promised again that when the trustees get an update, they will meet with residents of Rapp Road.
At the August meeting, trustees told residents they met with an assistant prosecutor to discuss possible litigation to enforce a clause in the contract signed with the former Carbon Limestone Co. and Essroc Materials Inc. The clause provides that Western Reserve, Rapp and Donaldson roads will be restored within three years after the cessation of mining operations there. A bond was posted at that time, but officials have said it is not enough to cover the millions of dollars needed to restore the roads.
Residents pressed trustees for an assurance that they will not back down on enforcing the contract terms and questioned whether the prosecutor’s office can spend the necessary time on the case. Trustee Rick Jones said, “We’re going to do whatever we can.”
Road Superintendent Rich Kennedy assured residents that the prosecutor’s office is devoting a large amount of time to the case.
Also Wednesday, Trustee Robert Orr said the second phase of the township sanitary sewer project, which would provide sewers in New Springfield, is on hold until the New Middletown sewage plant is upgraded.
Trustees approved purchasing two carbon monoxide monitors for $8,000. The monitors, Fire Chief Matt Gebhardt said, provide an immediate reading of a person’s carbon monoxide levels without drawing blood. He said they will be used to test residents who have suspected carbon monoxide poisoning, as well as firefighters. He said one township firefighter was recently treated for carbon monoxide poisoning from riding on the back of a brush truck.
Gebhardt also reported that a fire-safety program will be presented at Springfield Elementary School in October. He said businesses are being asked for donations to cover the cost of materials.
Police Chief Matthew Mohn said the township has received a $4,845 grant from the Ohio Attorney General’s office for drug prevention work.
Trustees also passed a resolution extending to current and retired employees the same residency privilege that residents get if they have to use the township ambulance service. The township accepts whatever their insurance pays and writes off any remaining cost which could be charged to the resident.