Last week, the rains were unrelenting in Boardman. The township received close to 4 inches in 2 hours, flooding streets and homes. This week residents flooded into the Boardman Administration building to voice their concerns.
Like George Paradise who just moved to Boardman two weeks ago. "My backyard filled up like a pond and I kept watching it grow and grow and grow," says Paradise.
Millie Naples home was flooded back in 2003. Six years later, her home flooded again and she wants to know why the township hasn't done anything about it. "Six years ago they hired engineers, all kind of contractors, and they had it all figured out exactly what they were going to do to correct this problem and this is six years later and I'm flooded again," says Naples. "They haven't done nothing."
Boardman Township administrator Jason Loree tells us while he can't account for promises that were made when he didn't work for the township, he's working very hard to prevent future flooding in Boardman. The township recently received $5-million in stimulus money that will be used to fund 15 storm projects in the area.
"This grant program came up when I knew the township was in financial difficulties," says Loree. "And I really took the bull by the horns and tried to get these projects approved."
Another way the township administrator would like to see these flood waters handled is through the management of the storm waters regionally. They're planning on putting together a storm water management district made up of Boardman, Canfield, and Austintown Townships that could be up and running by the end of this summer.
