WARREN — Trumbull County commissioners said Tuesday they are hesitant to provide a requested letter of support to Hubbard Township to apply for grant funds needed to purchase Coalburg Lake — excluding its dam.

Commissioners are being asked to support an effort to obtain approximately 338 acres that stretch across Hubbard and Brookfield townships but are owned by a private corporation, Coalburg Land Partners LLC. The purchase would not include the Coalburg Dam.

The Coalburg Dam is more than 100 years old, and its owners previously were ordered to have it removed last summer because it is in poor condition. However, a group of residents formed a committee to save it.

Hubbard Township would take charge of the property. If either Hubbard or Brookfield chooses not to participate, then Trumbull County MetroParks would manage the property.

Under the agreement, Hubbard Township would not be financially obligated to purchase the land.

Brookfield trustees were invited to attend last week’s Hubbard Township meeting, but did not.

In the letter sent this weekend to the commissioners by Hubbard Township Trustee Jason Tedrow, the commissioners are being asked to provide a letter of support to get funding for a program administered by the Ohio Public Works Commission and through the Natural Resources Assistance Council.

“Acquisition of the property will expand Hubbard Township’s recreational opportunities and expand the county’s recreational opportunities,” Tedrow noted.

Hubbard Township Trustee Monica Baker told the commissioners during their Tuesday workshop that she abstained from voting on the township’s resolution. The resolution vote received support from Tedrow and fellow trustee Bill Colletta.

“One of my questions is whether there has been a request to replat the Hubbard Township parcel, so the dam is a separate parcel,” Baker said.

Trumbull County Planning Commission Director Julie Green said the replat of the property would take at least six months.

Baker also questioned where the funds will be obtained to provide the local match for the purchase. The trustees were told the township would not be responsible.

Baker described an appraisal between $1.8 million and $2.2 million.

“My understanding is the sales price would be about $1.3 million,” she said.

Baker noted the equity on the property is expected to provide the local match or the land conservancy would raise the required local funds.

“I want to see that in writing,” she said.

Baker does not know whether Brookfield officials support this proposal.

Commissioner Denny Malloy would like some type of letter from the property’s current owner if they are interested in doing anything.

“Whether it is allowing the dam to be rebuilt or giving up ownership,” Malloy said

Commissioner Tony Bernard questioned if the request for a letter of support is being done prematurely.

Trumbull County attorney Phil Danso said the county should be careful, because there is a lot of liability in connection with the dam and its possible collapse.

“We have to be cognizant of the liability,” he said.

Baker noted the trustees were told that a community organization — such as Community Foundation of Western PA and Eastern Ohio — would be responsible.

She suggested the conservancy is expected to apply for a grant from Clean Ohio Funds, which would transfer the land without the dam.

Tedrow has been working with Western Reserve Land Conservancy and the Community Foundation of Western PA and Eastern Ohio. He did not attend Tuesday’s workshop, but is expected to attend today’s commissioners meeting.