BY JOHN A. DARNELL JR.
      associate editor
      Following heavy rains in Boardman Township last weekend, upwards of 100 people attended Monday night’s meeting of Boardman Trustees with no less than 20 persons addressing the elected officials expressing their concerns, many seeking a rapid resolution to flooding issues that have plagued the township since the early 1950s.
      Last weekend’s rains were the fourth major rain event to hit Boardaman Township since May 28. One rainfall, last Friday, caused severe surface water flooding in the north end of the township, while the southern portion of Boardman received almost no rain.
      Township Administrator Jason Loree outlined several measures that have been taken to address the surface water issues since May 28, including---
       •Meeting with the Federal Emergency Management Association,
       •Meeting with the Small Business Administration that can offer low interest loans,
       •Approval of a $124,000 grant to improve drainage issues in the Huntington Dr. area,
       •Meeting with the Army Corps of Engineers that is expected to tour a number of ‘water channels’ in the township this week,
       •Developing plans in coordination with the ABC Water District to assess issues and create improvement projects, and
       •Accepting bids to solve a drainage-related issue on South Cadillac Dr.
      Loree also noted about 80 per cent of the drainage projects called for in a 2004 study have been completed.
      Among those attending Monday night’s meeting was State Rep. Don Manning.
      “I know we have a problem and we have to work together to fix the problem,” Manning said, adding “Boardman Township doesn’t have the money to fix it themselves, and Mahoning County doesn’t have the money to fix it.”
      Manning said he has submitted an amendment to the state’s operating budget in an effort to find funding for the problem. He is seeking at least $3 million, Manning told The Boardman News.
      “I have reached-out to Gov. DeWine to try and get money to start working on this problem,” Manning said, urging residents to send him letters and pictures in support of his bid.
      Although Manning didn’t say it at the meeting, some of the proposed funding could go to improving drainage in the Market St. Elementary School area.
      “For ten years, we have been trying to get state and federal funding, and we have been rebuffed,” Trustee Larry Moliterno said, complimenting Manning for his efforts.
      Siman Choudry, of the Small Business Administration, said he was in Boardman “due to the presidential declaration of an emergency.” He said the SBA can offer homeowners up to $200,000 in low interest loans, and some renters could qualify for loans up to $40,000.
      “You have an economic injury, we provide assistance,” Choudry said, indicating the SBA could establish a temporary presence at the Boardman Township Government Center and noting there is an Aug. 19 deadline for claims for “physical damage.”
      During three hours of comments, residents from many areas of the township expressed their concerns and frustrations with surface water and sanitary sewer issues, including on North Cadillac Dr., East Parkside Dr., Jaronte Dr., Homestead Dr., Afton Ave. Glenwood Ave. near Ridgewood Estates, Holbrooke Rd., Oakridge Dr., Glendale, Mill Creek Blvd. at Anthos Ct., Palo Verde Dr., Pioneer Dr., Erskine Ave., Applewwod Blvd. and Sharon Dr. Most of those residents claimed their homes and property had been flooded more than once since May 28.
      Joe Donahue, of 1986 Holbrooke, said he had lived there for 25 years and his homeowners insurance had been cancelled so many times due to water issues, he was having a hard time finding insurance.
      “Who am I going to go to,” Donahue asked?
      Don Craig, of 6535 Glendale Ave., said he has lived in his home for two decades where he has had continual problems with surface water and sanitary sewer back-ups.
      “What can I do, because I can’t sell my property,” Craig asked?
      Township Administrator Loree told Craig his home “might have to go,” indicating it could be purchased by the ABC Water District as a site for a retention system.
      Loree indicated the water district is purchasing one home on Wildwood Dr. as part of an overall plan for surface water mitigation, and Craig’s property could be used for the same purpose.