Trumbull parks meeting room renamed to recognize retiring 32-year employee

HOWLAND -- The Trumbull MetroParks board of commissioners approved naming the office meeting room in honor of a longtime employee who is about to retire.

Mitzi Sabella served 32 years with the park district as office manager and board secretary. The meeting room will now be called "The Mitzi Sabella Conference Room."

Board President Nicolette Darkangelo said the park board appreciates all the Sabella has done over the years with her professionalism and work ethic for the benefit of the park district being "the backbone for the park district."

"You have always gone way above and beyond your job description," said board member John Brown.

"Your institutional knowledge has been very helpful to the board. We appreciate you and your work ethic," said board member Kathy DiCristofaro.

Trumbull County Probate Judge James Fredericka presented recognition to Sabella and part of the permanent record of the court.

"You will be remembered forever for the work you have done. You have seen the expansion of the park district over the years from two parks and 31 acres of land controlled by a three-member board of commissioners to now six parks with 17 miles paved trails and over 2,400 acres of land controlled by a five-member board of commissioners," Fredericka said.

He said Sabella has worked with two probate judges over the years, 21 board members, and served numerous citizens seeking information about the park district.

Zachary Svette, executive director of the MetroParks, said they received 26 applicants for the office manager position. Deadline is Tuesday.

In other business, the board is seeking design proposals for the planned demolition of the Leavittsburg Dam in 2025.

Svette said selection of a design firm may be made at the Nov. 30 meeting,

Svette said the MetroParks district also is seeking Appalachian funding for bike trail repairs, including a bridge area, repairs to the trails at the Eastlake Park in Cortland and improvements to the office in Howland.

He said $10,000 is being sought for planning for sidewalks to be added along Educational Highway where the Clarence Darrow Park is located in Champion,

He said the park district should receive word in November if the grant funding is approved.