Shaker Heights Confirms New CAO Amid Sewer District Lake Controversy
Carroll Named Chief Administrative Officer as Dam Debate Intensifies
Shaker Heights City Council unanimously confirmed Matthew P. Carroll as the city’s new Chief Administrative Officer and Clerk of Council during a special meeting August 11. Carroll brings over 35 years of experience in public administration, including previous roles with Cuyahoga County, the City of Cleveland, and Baker Hostetler law firm.
The appointment comes as longtime CAO and clerk Jeri Chaikin announced her retirement after 24 years of service, effective September. Carroll, who lives in the Ludlow neighborhood with his wife Laura Kleinman, has two sons who attended Shaker schools.
Mayor David Weiss praised Carroll’s qualifications, citing his leadership skills, fiscal oversight experience, and cultural fit with city values. Carroll currently serves on boards including Say Yes to Education, Cuyahoga Workforce Funders Group, and Global Cleveland.
The council approved both appointments by unanimous 7-0 votes.
Sewer District Reverses Course on Lower Lake Dam Reconstruction
New Analysis Shows $55M Project No Longer Provides Flood Benefits
The Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District announced a major reversal of its 2021 recommendation to reconstruct Lower Lake Dam, now proposing complete removal after new modeling showed the dam provides minimal flood control benefits.
CEO Kyle Dreyfus-Wells and Watershed Programs Director Matt Sharver presented updated findings to a packed joint session of Shaker Heights and Cleveland Heights city councils. The revised recommendation stems from more sophisticated two-dimensional modeling completed in 2024-2025 and the discovery of a viable alternative culvert location in University Circle.
Under the new proposal, the sewer district would pay $45 million for dam removal and stream restoration but would not fund the $55 million reconstruction cost. The reconstruction price includes $44 million for engineering work and $11-12 million for sediment removal from the 140,000 cubic yards accumulated in the lake.
The Lower Lake Dam currently overtops during two-year storm events, creating flooding at the Coventry and North Park intersection. Ohio Department of Natural Resources classifies it as a Class 1 high hazard dam due to potential catastrophic failure impacts downstream.
Residents Pack Meeting Demanding Lake Preservation Options
Citizens Question Sewer District Modeling, Seek Alternative Solutions
Over 20 residents from both communities spoke during public comment, with many questioning the sewer district’s credibility and demanding alternative preservation options.
Hal Madorsky, a lifelong Shaker resident, accused the district of using “bait and switch tactics” similar to the Horseshoe Lake decision. Penny Allen, president of Friends of Horseshoe Lake, said residents should “take the sewer district’s statements with a grain of salt” citing previous cost estimate changes.
Lamar Shepard, who lives directly across from Lower Lake, reported receiving no basement flooding since construction work began, contrasting with previous years of regular flooding.
Several residents proposed smaller dam alternatives and questioned whether the project requires National Historic Site federal approvals under Section 106. Council members Sean Malone and others explored compromise solutions including offline pond features similar to Garfield Park.
The sewer district scheduled additional public meetings for August 19 (virtual) and August 20 (in-person at Lee Road Library).
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