Monday, December 26, 2011
YOUNGSTOWN
Boardman Township is suing a local construction company for what the township contends was shoddy roof work.
The township filed suit earlier this month against Hively Construction Co. Inc. of Canfield. Assistant Mahoning County prosecutor Donald A. Duda Jr. is representing the township.
Representatives for Hively Construction could not be reached to comment on the case.
The township inked a contract Feb. 8, 1999, with Hively that commissioned the construction company to build a new township road-maintenance garage, according to records.
The garage is behind the township administration and police building at 8299 Market St. The total contract value was $1,642,468.
Boardman Road Superintendent Larry Wilson said the metal roof above the small administrative section of the road garage leaked regularly and was the only problem area.
“We had to buy apparatus to address the leaking,” Wilson said.
Last year, the township discussed the problem with MS Consultants of Youngstown and put the roof replacement out to bid. The contract was awarded to Schalmo Builders of Canton at a cost of about $46,000, Wilson said.
Since the repair, there has not been a problem, he said.
“We’re trying to get reimbursed for cost to fix the roof. It’s what we believe we’re owed,” Wilson said.
The township maintains it never would have had to make the repairs if Hively had done the work properly in the first place, according to court filings.
Wilson said the process to file a lawsuit began several years ago. The case has been assigned to Judge R. Scott Krichbaum of Mahoning County Common Pleas Court. A trial date has yet to be set.