CHAMPION, Ohio (WKBN) — The Board of Commissioners of the Trumbull County MetroParks Thursday decided to wait another month before reaffirming its decision to demolish the Leavittsburg Dam.
They’re waiting on word from the Ohio EPA on whether money already allocated to remove the dam can be used for alternative plans.
The commissioners were considering a resolution reaffirming their 2021 decision to demolish the Leavittsburg Dam and people attending from the Leavittsburg area were not happy about it.
“When you have this on the agenda, it pretty much looks like it’s a done deal. If that’s it then please let us know so we can just leave,” said Warren Township Trustee Ed Anthony.
“Goodwill is something that I think we all need in this room and goodwill is the result of working together in earnest compromise,” said Leavittsburg resident Julia McComb Shutt.
Trumbull County Commissioner Denny Malloy wants the board to seriously consider a study by the Akron Engineering firm DLZ which suggests alternatives to demolition. Malloy told the board if they voted to reaffirm there could be consequences.
“You think anyone on the board of commissioners is going to give the park board one penny for a budget next year if you don’t listen to the people?” he said.
MetroParks Commissioner Kurt Sauer suggested tabling the motion until the board’s next meeting Dec. 19. Sauer wants one question answered by someone with the Ohio EPA.
“Whether the funding that we currently have in place, some significant dollar amount of which we have spent, will be able to be transferred to an alternative solution,” Sauer said.
MetroParks Commissioner John Brown reminded everyone the decision to demolish the dam was made three and a half years ago.
“And to keep stringing people along, I don’t think is fair. But if it’s another month in this process I’m willing to rescind my request,” Brown said.
The MetroParks Board ultimately decided to table the resolution and will take up the Leavittsburgh Dam demolition again on Dec. 19.
There were also several residents of Braceville Township at the meeting who supported the removal of the dam because they said it would reduce the flooding problems that have plagued Braceville for years.
