CANFIELD TOWNSHIP — Michelle and Dave Courtney of Abbey Road came to Tuesday’s township trustees meeting seeking help for flooding in their backyard, which they said turns their property into a swamp.

Dave Courtney said, “It builds up and takes weeks to drain away.”

Michelle Courtney claims the flooding is runoff from businesses on U.S. 224 and Ironwood Boulevard. She said it turns their backyard into a swamp and breeds mosquitoes and brings in other unwanted wildlife.

The couple brought several photos to show trustees at the Tuesday meeting.

Township Administrator Keith Rogers said there seems to be a hump causing some of the problem. He said the developer (Ken Zuzik) tied into the area with an 8-inch drain pipe that travels along the road and returns to a retention pond. He said the pipe is not sufficient to move storm water out of the area.

“It’s on a punch list,” Rogers said. “I won’t sign off on the final two phases of the development until some of these things are fixed.”

He said installing a 2-foot wide swale could ease the flooding issues. Rogers said he will continue to work on a resolution for the issue.

“It is disappointing to spend half a million dollars on a house just to end up in a swamp,” Dave Courtney said.

A second issue brought up during the public speaking portion of the meeting was a loud siren. Stephanie Clark from Summit Road was upset over an alert siren that she said is way too loud.

“We have to go into the basement at noon on Saturday and it is still too loud,” Clark said. “Does it have to be tested every Saturday? Could they start testing once a month?”

Trustee Marie Cartwright, who sits on the Mahoning County 911 Board, said the siren in question was probably installed when the area was more rural. She said it is old and hard to find replacement parts for, but it is operated by the EMA.

“We are looking at new systems that would alert people through their phones,” Cartwright said.

She told Clark she will follow up with the 911 board and see if anything can be done.

Also Tuesday, resident Sam Boak spoke on the need for lighting in the Kennsington Development that exits on South Raccoon Road and at Tippecanoe Road.

“Both of those intersections are dangerous,” he told trustees.

Later in the meeting, trustees approved a motion to place street lights at both locations. Chairman Brian Governor said the lights would cost the township $10.08 each per month, but it will solve a big safety issue. The cost of installing both lights would be $4,848.09.

In other business, trustees:

• Approved Bob Satterlee from Evergreen Lawns for the abatement, control and / or removal of property conditions at 8148 Gibson Road at a cost not to exceed $6,375. The motion was previously passed for $4,000 until an unidentified shed containing numerous car parts, a trailer with other debris, and additional junk and debris were discovered and made part of the cleanup.

• Approved the donation of $1,000 for the American Legion’s Memorial Day ceremony.