POLAND TOWNSHIP — The first time Poland Township officials tried out their new stormwater management camera system, they had instant results, Township Administrator Mark Covell said at Wednesday night’s Mahoning County commissioners meeting at Poland Township hall.

Covell said the supplier of the camera brought the device for a demonstration for a location on Olde Winter Trail in the township that had been especially troublesome for stormwater blockages and had to be cleaned out with a vacuum truck.

“Still, it just wasn’t draining the way it ought to,” he said. “And sure enough we put the camera down there during the demo and here’s a big clump of roots from a tree that had found its way through a lateral line from a house. It was just a small opening, and all of those roots made like a rat’s nest. They were able to clear that out.”

“Otherwise we wouldn’t have known what it was (that was blocking the water from flowing). There was flooding,” Covell said.

“That was just one instance where we could use that,” Covell said of the new camera and now a van that works in conjunction with the camera that were provided to the township with $200,000 of American Rescue Plan funds from commissioners. The van cost $136,444.

“It benefits our storm system. That’s one of our biggest problems here,” Covell said.

At the end of the commissioners meeting, township officials showed commissioners the camera and the new vehicle so they could see how they work.

The camera system enables the township to diagnose problems and examine stormwater structures more effectively.

It will allow the township to investigate issues that arise during heavy rainfalls and support the township and surrounding communities with storm-water system management, county officials stated in a press release.

The van is designed to protect the camera and provide a safe, climate-controlled environment. The two parts ensure the longevity and functionality of the equipment, allowing for safe and efficient maintenance of the stormwater systems, the release states.

“The commissioners are committed to supporting Poland Township and the surrounding communities and their efforts to enhance their storm water management capabilities,” Commissioner Anthony Traficanti said.

Staff photo / Ed Runyan
Poland Township Road Foreman Tom Monus stands Wednesday near the side door of the new van that protects and transports the new storm water camera inspection system the township recently acquired. The camera is stored in the back. The computer equipment that runs the system and allows an operator to see the video coming from the camera is in the area behind Monus.