While Northfield Center trustees have not yet decided what to do with the old Town Hall, a committee entrusted with exploring potential future uses recommended on March 6 that a “modest” tax levy of less than 1 mile be placed on the November ballot.
According to the committee, the levy, if passed, would raise about $50,000 per year and cost each Township household between $50 and $60 per year.
The levy would be for 10 years and if passed, could potentially save the structure while keeping it in Township possession and available for community use.
The suggestion was made during the regularly scheduled Trustee meeting.
The committee explored three uses for the building which included selling it, giving it away, placing the levy on the ballot, and keeping it for community use. The most viable option was to keep the hall.
History of the first settler brought to life
The travels and travails of Issac Bacon, the first settler of Northfield Center Township were shared at the March 6 Trustee meeting by eighth-grader Lorenzo LaGuardia.
Lorenzo is a student at St. Barnabas and chose Isacc Bacon as a subject for a history project.
The work, which included a variety of visual aides earned Lorenzo a proclamation from Trustees and an explosion of applause from audience members.
“I chose to do my project on Isaac Bacon, the first settler of Northfield Center,” Lorenzo told the audience.
According to Lorenzo, Bacon arrived in Northfield Center Township, from Boston, Massachusetts, in 1807.
Bacon purchased 160 acres of land to start a new life for his family. Other family members soon followed, Lorenzo said.
“This was an ideal location,” according to Lorenzo. “One of the biggest draws was its location near the water.”
A man named George Ross soon built a sawmill on Brandywine Creek.
“And the Township began to grow,” Lorenzo said.
However, the area was not yet Northfield Center Township. It was named Snatchpenny, Lorenzo added.
The name was later changed to Northfield due to it being in the northern part of the recently formed Summit County.
Bacon died in 1812, but his second home still stands and is owned by a local resident.
Lorenzo said he is proud of the Township’s history.
“Isaac Bacon is a part of history that cannot be taken away,” Lorenzo said.
After a brief description of his research method and a quote from the late poet Maya Angelou, Lorenzo wrapped up his presentation with local pride.
“I am proud to be from Northfield Center, Ohio,” Lorenzo said.
Legislation:
- Consent agenda passed.
- A resolution to: Adopt the 2023 Permanent Appropriations in the amount of $9,179,098 as presented, passed.
- A resolution to Authorize the following Service Township equipment to be placed for sale by auction: Walker mower fertilizer unit, Genesis Power unit, and tools, passed.
- A resolution to: authorize the purchase of a CAT 305 Mini Hydraulic Excavator under the State of Ohio Bid program at an amount not to exceed $95,000- based on specifications included in the Oct. 5, 2022 quotation. No down payment is needed. The fiscal officer is also directed to prepare a purchase order for this transaction and to charge account 04-A-04, passed.
- A motion to enter into Executive Session to discuss legal and personnel matters moves, passed.
