A 30-plus acre parcel between Stillwagon Road and Route 11 in Howland and Vienna that the land owners want to develop into a housing development may have hit a slight snag.

While nearly 60 members of both communities spoke out against the annexation on Wednesday, but ultimately the project will be decided by the Trumbull County Commissioners during a scheduled vote on Dec. 7.

However, the snag is that the commissioners don't have anyone to give them legal advice on the project.

The commissioners normally would use the legal guidance from the Trumbull County Prosecutor's office, however, in decisions such as annexations, the Prosecutor's Office does work for many of the townships, including Howland, leading to the need to recuse Prosecutor's Office from helping the commissioners with this case.

The board is currently seeking legal advice from other local attorneys, but according to the commissioners, they are finding it difficult to find a Trumbull attorney that may not have a conflict with the case.

"It's becoming a challenge," Commissioner Mauro Cantalamessa said.

According to Commissioner Frank Fuda, the office had reached out to three attorneys so far, but all had conflicts with the annexation case and could not be considered.

Commissioner Niki Frenchko said that is always best when communities work together, and she is still hopeful for a resolution on the project before the vote, but added that she believes in preserving the integrity of townships.

If the commissioners cannot find a local attorney before next Wednesday's scheduled Trumbull Commissioner Meeting, they may be forced to ask for an extension until legal counsel can be obtained to advise them.