Residents living on Johnson Plank Road are frustrated with the lack of maintenance on their road that's become a pothole haven, and are calling on Trumbull County Engineers to do something.

"This road has been here longer than I've been on this earth.", said Eric Olejnik, a resident on the dead-end road.

As long as Eric Olejnik can remember; Johnson Plank Road in Bazetta Township was maintained by the county, until it wasn't.

"It was probably right around 2020, end of 2019 and that was it.", Olejnik added. Which is right around the time he says they stopped.

"We've got to get this road fixed and it's a disaster waiting to happen.", he emphasized. Olejnik tells 21 News that he's took matters into his own hands, filling up holes with sand slag on occasion, but in spite of that effort, mother nature and father time continue to do their work on the road.

Trumbull County Deputy Engineer Gary Shaffer says the road is not owned or maintained by the county, and that it's a private road.

"There's a standard procedure to follow to have the road dedicated, approved and accepted. That road has never followed that process.", Shaffer explained.

Although Google Maps Satellite Images show a sign from 2011 that says otherwise.

"I don't know who put those up but I know that section of road has never been on our county road inventory.", Shaffer added.

Bazetta Township Trustee Michael Hovis confirmed that the County did maintain that stretch of road but stopped.

Currently, Johnson Plank road is a private road, meaning responsibility falls on the residents, and a point of frustration for Olejnik, who says he pays thousands annually in property taxes.

Olejnik says the next step is attending a County Commissioners meeting.

"We'll go to the meeting, then after that...guess I'm going to have to get a lawyer and them I'm going to get everyone together and then we're going to end up suing them.", the long-time resident concluded.