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CANFIELD TOWNSHIP -- A delegation of Huntington Ridge residents attended this week's trustees meeting looking for a solution to a major flooding problem.
Heavy rains have destroyed a retaining wall in the development that will be a costly endeavor to repair.
"We don't want to fix a wall that will cost a lot, just to end up fixing it again next year," spokeswoman Julie Troup said.
She said the reason they were addressing trustees is because the flood waters are flowing across Tippecanoe Road from the Ohio Turnpike in Canfield and flooding the Huntington Ridge area, which is in Boardman.
Stephanie Mylonas, the Huntington Ridge Homeowners Association secretary, brought documentation showing the recent flood waters that resembled a giant waterfall coming over a retaining wall in the development.
"We were told it would cost over $900 per month added to the condo fees to fix the wall," Troup said. "We are frustrated and are coming to Canfield to see what can be done."
Canfield Administrator Keith Rogers said he is familiar with the situation. He said the heavy rains flow from the Ohio Turnpike and across Canfield Township property to a drain on the west side of Tippecanoe. That drain has a grate over it that can clog with debris.
Shawn Stack from Canfield Township Public Works said, "I have seen the county try to clean that grate. It could also be an undersized pipe that can't handle a large flow."
Rogers explained the heavy rain water is coming from the turnpike, flowing across Canfield Township land into a grate that is serviced by Mahoning County, overflowing that grate and crossing into the Boardman Township condo development, where it is causing extreme damage.
"I think everyone is going to have to work together to solve this," Rogers said.
Mylonas's packet showed the delegation attended an ABC Water and Storm Water District meeting to ask for assistance in finding a solution.
Canfield Zoning Inspector Traci DeCapua said the heavy "500-year" storms are becoming more frequent and are rapidly becoming the new normal.
"Storms aren't what they used to be," she said.
On a different matter, Stack reported the air conditioner at the Township Public Works Department has stopped working and cannot carry a charge. The AC and heating unit are both 19 years old. He asked what trustees wanted to do about it and was told to get several quotes on replacement of both units. The quotes could be made available at a future meeting.
Stack also took a moment to thank the congregation of Cornersburg Baptist Church for its support in storm cleanup. He said the church pastor and members helped clean up storm debris from the Cornersburg Cemetery. Trustees signed a letter of appreciation to be sent to the church.
In other business:
• Trustees approved rebidding the Public Works garage addition with bids being due by Sept. 16 at 2:30 p.m. The bid award will take place at the following regular township meeting.
• Trustees agreed to declare 4055 Fairway Drive and 4032 Alvacardo Street as nuisance properties and require the abatement, control or removal of the nuisances.