AUSTINTOWN, Ohio — Austintown Township trustees on Nov. 10 approved contracts and funding applications intended to move planned street resurfacing and an emergency storm-sewer repair toward construction.

The board approved a memorandum of understanding with the county engineer and accepted Thomas Boke & Associates as the township's consulting engineer for the OPWC-funded resurfacing program, at an amount cited in the meeting as $8,000. Trustees also authorized Township Administrator Mark Deppolito to submit applications to the Ohio Public Works Commission (OPWC) and local transportation programs and to execute required contracts.

'We're putting the OPWC-required engineering together so we can pursue that grant,' Deppolito said during the meeting, describing the application process and the township's history with OPWC funding.

Deppolito also briefed trustees on an emergency storm-sewer failure on Boulder Creek that produced sinkholes this year. The board accepted an engineering-services proposal from Thomas Fulk & Associates for $7,000 to prepare plans and specifications so the township can apply for OPWC emergency funds. Authorities at the meeting said the engineer's estimate for repairs exceeds $75,000, which would require prevailing wage rules and public bidding.

'Those repairs didn't take the damage from the rainfall,' Deppolito said of earlier in-house repairs, adding that the site is currently fenced and that detailed plans are required before larger repairs proceed.

Trustees moved to authorize the administrator to pursue OPWC emergency funding for the Boulder Creek replacement, with further motions to bid or waive public bidding to follow after engineers provide estimates and advice.

Why it matters: OPWC grants are a primary local source for transportation and infrastructure funding; overcoming procurement thresholds such as prevailing wage and formal bidding will shape the timetable and cost to residents. The board was explicit that larger repairs may require additional motions once engineers finalize estimates.

What's next: Staff will complete engineering plans and submit OPWC applications. Trustees signaled they may return with supplemental motions depending on the engineer's cost estimate and procurement advice.