Austintown awarded $50,000 from county for fire station repairs

AUSTINTOWN — The township fire department has received $50,000 in discretionary funding from Mahoning County to repair the aged pavement outside one of its station garages.

Mahoning County commissioners presented a ceremonial check to township officials during the trustees' Monday evening meeting.

The funds will be put toward repairing the driveway apron in front of the department's No. 1 station along North Canfield-Niles Road, which is "completely disintegrating from the weight of the trucks," fire Chief Andy Frost said.

The station was built in the late 1970s, back when fire engines were much lighter, the chief said. The concrete apron hasn't been replaced since, he said.

"There's some major damage done to that apron. Our concern is it's going to damage our trucks," Trustee Jim Davis said. "If we pull out and it does damage to the truck, it's gonna hinder us being able to respond to the call."

Two sinkholes have also opened up in the parking lot behind the station — at least one of which is 8 feet deep, Frost said. Since modern fire engines are thousands of pounds heavier, the replacement concrete will be up to highway specifications, 8 inches thick and double-reinforced, the chief said.

"I think it's pretty incredible for the commissioners to help us out with these projects. We just don't have the budgets to replace these things," Frost said. "If we can find auxiliary funding, we're so appreciative to get it."

The total project is projected to cost $120,000 and will be completed in phases, Davis said. Though the township had budgeted for the work, the county's extra infusion gives officials some leeway to fund other needs — possibly the replacement of a township vehicle recently rear-ended by another vehicle.

"This funding was just a huge, huge help from the county," Davis said.

This story was originally published July 27, 2021 at 4:20 AM with the headline "Austintown awarded $50,000 from county for fire station repairs."