43
Residents express concern about vacant houses
BOARDMAN
Trustees heard concerns about vacant houses from residents in the northwest part of the township — the same location where the Mahoning Valley Organizing Collaborative held a news conference about land banks last week.
Shawn A. Metzler of Sylvia Lane and Mary Elaine Fitas and Megan Taylor of Donmar Lane presented a list of dilapidated properties and photos to trustees at their Monday meeting.
“The streets look like slums,” Fitas said. “We have a deep concern for our neighborhood. ...We trust you trustees.”
Chairman Thomas Costello told residents that the board “would love to tear down” the houses, but it costs about $3,000 to $5,000 for each property.
A proposed countywide land bank could acquire vacant properties, forgive current liens, and individuals or entities could make the green space more productive through landscaping or gardening. Youngstown and Struthers already have land banks.
Administrator Jason Loree said the township also is pursuing another option.
“We may have a creative solution. We’re checking the [legality] of it,” Loree said, declining to give more details.
He acknowledged that with foreclosures creating more vacant houses, Boardman is having problems that its never had before.
Zoning inspector Anna Mamone said her office is trying to keep up as the list of nuisance properties has grown from 107 last month to 204 Monday.
The same group of residents also questioned trustees about flooding, arguing that their neighborhood’s storm water utility system is faulty.
In response, Loree updated residents about the ABC Water and Storm Water District, which was created to address water problems in Boardman, Austintown and Canfield townships.
The district is negotiating with engineering firms and “moving forward,” he said.
The district is planning to have a meeting in September with more information on the district’s progress, its ability to generate revenue and planned projects, Loree said.
“It’s easier to get money as a collaborative,” Costello added.
In other business, the trustees approved spending $18,465.26 to purchase communication consoles for emergency dispatchers from seized money from criminals held in the Law Enforcement Trust Fund.
The consoles are part of a joint purchase by Austintown and Boardman townships for a $1.7 million radio system. Boardman’s share of the project, about $700,000, will be paid for by federal grants and the trust fund, Loree said.
Police Chief Jack Nichols said three consoles will be installed, leaving two for the department and one for another entity to use.
“We can partner with another entity and defray the cost, or we can lease it to another entity,” Nichols said.
Near the close of their meeting, trustees approved a resolution objecting to a new liquor permit request for Aldi on South Avenue and requiring a ballot initiative, which is the township’s standard practice, said Trustee Larry Moliterno.
“They’re applying for a liquor license in an area that’s dry now, and residents can decide on it accordingly,” Moliterno said.