Mahoning engineer contacts Kasich about pothole problem

May 14, 2015 at 12:02a.m.

ELLSWORTH

When asked during the Mahoning County commissioners meeting to express one of his concerns, an Ellsworth man didn’t mince words.

“Potholes,” the man said during the public-comments portion of Wednesday’s session at Ellsworth Township Hall on Akron-Canfield Road.

That was a recurring theme as several attendees voiced their concerns about the problem still plaguing many county roads, which last winter’s continual freeze-thaw cycles exacerbated.

Early last month, Jackson Township officials proposed an emergency summit to address the deteriorating condition of many area thoroughfares. During Wednesday’s commissioners meeting, Trustee Tom Frost called the situation “a state of emergency” and suggested the possibility of bringing in the Ohio National Guard.

County Engineer Patrick Ginnetti said he’s contacted Gov. John Kasich’s office about the problem but has received no reply. The engineer’s office is dealing with a drastic increase in road-salt and slag costs combined with a nearly-stagnant budget for hand-ling the estimated 485 miles of county roads, he explained.

Ginnetti also noted that his office has a projected $9.8 million budget for 2015, but that the money doesn’t go far when the number of county townships and municipalities is taken into account.

“There’s only so much we can do with what we have,” he said, warning that a severe winter next year could worsen the condition of unpaved roads.

Roughly $400,000 is set aside annually for hot/cold mix and cold-patch material to fill the holes, he continued, adding that poor soil and drainage also contribute to causing asphalt to heave, crack and buckle.

A Canfield man suggested that businesses on roads with serious pothole problems could contribute to repair costs.

Commissioner Chairman David C. Ditzler said he hopes new, innovative means of funding can be found.

Also at the session, officials voted to allow the transfer of part of Lanterman Road from the Mahoning County highway system to the Austintown Township highway system.

The move means that Austintown will maintain nearly one mile of Lanterman near Four Mile Road. It was necessary mainly because Lanterman no longer meets certain requirements of county roads, Ginnetti said.

The next meeting is set for 10 a.m. next Thursday in the Mahoning County Courthouse basement.