DORWICK DITCH PETITION INFORMATION
It appears that we have another controversial issue in our Township. This time it involves a “Ditch Petition” for the Marwyck/Dorwick drainage problems. The Summit County Engineer’s Office recently received an official petition from a resident and now the process has begun. Since that time the Engineer conducted an onsite meeting with about 45 residents, followed by another meeting at our Townhall. Then the Summit County Council conducted a public hearing in Akron. Unfortunately, many of the 256 affected residents were not notified about any of these meetings because the Post Office failed to deliver many of the notices that the County paid $6 each to be delivered on time!
The Engineer’s Office provided a map to all of the affected residents titled, “PROPERTY AND DRAINAGE AREA MAP DORWICK DITCH REHABILITATION PROJECT.” The map shows 256 homes and properties in the 180.5-acre drainage area. At the meeting with the Engineer, it was stated that some of these homes and properties could be assessed up to $175 per half year for the next ten years to help pay for the estimated $500,000 project!
Once this information began circulating, I began receiving phone calls and visits from some of the residents within the drainage boundary complaining that their homes were here well before the “Wicks” area was built and that they should not have to pay anything. It was also mentioned that “everyone knows where the real problems are” meaning along two or more properties along the Dorwick ditch that are the cause of all the water backups.
I spent considerable time modifying the County’s map to indicated the years that all of the affected homes were built. The earliest one was way back in 1836. If you want a copy of this map, just send your request to me or the Townhall and it will be emailed to you or you can pick up a hard copy at the Townhall.
The Summit County Council has tentatively planned another public hearing on Wednesday, July 27th from 6PM to 9PM at the Northfield Elementary School. This meeting is NOT yet confirmed pending confirmation from the school. I am just advising everyone about this to keep the date and time open so if or when it is confirmed you can have it on your calendars to attend.
BEWARE OF FALSE AND MISLEADING FIRE LEVY RUMORS!
It never ceases to amaze me how some people like to spout off about things they know little or nothing about. Even to the extent of spreading false information and even lies. This is occurring in the editorial section of the NewsLeader (today and past) and on social media, including Facebook and NEO Babble. In the last edition of this Newsletter, I published a comprehensive report on where the Fire Levy issue stands. The report contains THE FACTS and the people spreading the false information are on my mailing list! I am not going to repeat what was contained in that report but if Todd, Russ, Marc, Mary Ann or anyone else wants a reprint I will be happy to send it.
The one thing that I WILL repeat is the fact that this levy is about choice. I personally heard from over 300 people involving the levy prior to it being placed on the August 2nd ballot. The MAJORITY of those people wanted to resurrect our Northfield Center Fire Department. And THAT IS THE PRIMARY reason that I voted to place the issue on the ballot. There are no hidden agendas. It’s about choice, YOUR choice – PERIOD!
PAC FORMED FOR FIRE LEVY
Hi Paul, know that you are trying to remain neutral, however I wanted to let you know that several of us, have gotten together and formed a Political Action Committee (PAC) in support of the Fire/EMS Levy that will be on the August ballot.
We are looking for support for the Northfield Center Fire/EMS Levy, Issue 3. If you are interested in making a donation to be used to purchase yard signs and/or newspaper ad, flyers, etc., please email savencfd27@gmail.com. In accordance with Board of Election rules, donations cannot be anonymous, we are required for reporting purposes, your name and address. Donations of $1.00 to $99.00 will gladly be accepted, donations over $100.00 must be by check. If we receive enough donations to purchase yard sign, would you like one for your yard, again please send an email, to the previously listed email. Thank you, Richard James, Treasurer, Northfield Center resident.
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
Q >>> – I would like to suggest that NO SOLICITING signs be posted at the entrances of all streets in Brandywine Preserve immediately.
A >>> – Soliciting in the Township is allowed for those with the proper permits. Therefore, we cannot post the signs that you suggest. However, since Brandywine Preserve is all private, your association might consider your suggestion. All your roads are private except for Country View.
Q >>> – The Twinsburg Road which runs from Ole Eight to Darrow Road is THE WORST road I have ever ridden on. I’m not sure which township is responsible for its upkeep, Macedonia or Twinsburg, but it is now time for a total replacement. This road has been patched & repatched many times, but patching now is out of the question! We desperately need a total replacement now.
A >>> – The entire stretch of Twinsburg Road in our Township, from Brandywine to Walters Road, is a COUNTY Road and therefore all maintenance is the responsibility of the County Engineer’s Office.
Q >>> – I live on Hazel, several of my neighbors choose not to cut their grass. One is going on 2 years since he cut his lawn. Another is undevelped land. Can the inspector just drive down the street and see who is negligent.
A >>> – The owner of the undeveloped land is not required to maintain any lawn or landscaping – No structures, NO maintenance. However, I have asked our Zoning Inspector to investigate the rest of your concern.
Q >>> – Hi Paul, could you please get the township out to clean up weeds in the island at the entry of Charter Dr.
A >>> – The problem should be taken care of this week.
Q >>> – I have not heard any info on the proposed zoning change for the property behind Spitzer. Has there been a decision? I understand that you have been busy with the Fire Dept and I appreciate all the hard work you are doing.
A >>> – There have been no decisions made on the proposed change. When the time does come, the Zoning Commission will make the first decision. If that decision is against the change then the process stops. If they decide in favor of the change then it comes before the Board of Trustees. We will then hold a public hearing and then, at a separate meeting, we will decide whether to agree with the Zoning Commission or decide against it. Everyone will be fully notified of future meetings.
Q >>> – The grass at the corner of Olde eight and Oakmont still is not cut.. Also they have stuff all piled up around their shed and tarps over it to hide it , now the tarps and the junk is falling over and it looks terrible. Sorry to keep bothering you,, but I just don’t get people.
A >>> – You are the third person to complain about this (see below). The owner(s) have been sent a warning from our Zoning Department.
Q >>> – I live at **** N Oakmont, we were wondering if anyone is responsible for the property across the street from us. It is vacant since they took the houses to build the ramp. The weeds are so tall and almost hanging into the street. The township cut it once last year, but that was it. My husband and out neighbor cut the grass around the fire hydrant, so it can be found in a emergency. I know you are probably tired of the complaints about the house on the corner of 8 and Oakmont, but it is a eyesore. I hope you can help us with both of these problems.
A >>> – The State of Ohio owns those lots. Zoning does NOT require any maintenance on vacant lots. Our Road Department might have mowed the drainage ditches along the roadway at sometime in the past but they are not permitted to perform any work on private property. The house on the corner of 8 and Oakmont has been sent a warning letter so hopefully the owner(s) will comply. I hope this answers your concerns.
YOUR GENERAL COMMENTS
Thank you Paul for this very well stated update. We can always count on you to keep us informed with FACTS!! We appreciate all that you do! While we live in Macedonia we do own rental property in Northfield Ctr (the base for our rental operations) and Sagamore Hills.
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Good newsletter & very informative. Thanks! You guys have a lot on your plate & tough decisions. You will not please everyone on this issue. Good luck.
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Thanks for keep us informed on what is going on. We have not been available to make it to nay meetings so your newsletter keeps us up to date. I personally like the option with Valley Fire Dept. if the finances with them work out. (Get out of Nordonia area) The next option would be with Northfield Village. I say stay away from Macedonia. They will make us pay for their financial woes. The comment I do have is: no matter who we go with, we will still have to mutual aid in Sagamore Hills due to the fact that we have the closet available fire station and rescue squad. Macedonia is to far away for support when their squad will be driving by our fire house. So whether we go with any of the options that you listed, Sagamore will still be calling for mutual aid on the second squad call and we will still be responding no matter what.
[Paul’s Note]
The mutual aid concern with Sagamore Hills will be seriously addressed. In fact, that very subject has come up with my private meetings with other area public officials. We will, of course, provide mutual aid but that provision will NOT be abused to the point of putting our residents at risk!
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Regarding the IRS phone scams, I got the same idiot calling me (Steve Martin; yeah and I’m Engelbert Humperdink). Then 20 minutes later, I got another call about this from a cell phone in New Jersey. I reported both incidents with phone numbers, names, and whatever other info I could get to this U.S. GOV website: https://www.treasury.gov/tigta/contact_report_scam.shtml
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Mr. Buescher, we appreciate all you do for helping to provide a better place for us to live. Many thanks!
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Thank you,
Paul G. Buescher
Northfield Center Twp. Trustee Vice-Chairman
Northfield Center-Sagamore Hills Fire Dist. Board
330-467-9451
This newsletter was produced through my 5-kilowatt SOLAR power system!
<<<<< DISCLAIMER >>>>>
TrusteeBuescher@aol.com is the official newsletter of Northfield Center Township Trustee Paul G. Buescher and emailed under Blind Copy to hundreds of Township residents, businesses and others. The comments and opinions expressed are those of Trustee Buescher and do not necessarily reflect those of the other two Trustees. Comments under “Your Comments” are those of the writers and do not necessarily reflect my feelings or thoughts. I also reserve the right to not respond to any emails that do not contain both the name and address of the sender. I also reserve the right to publish in whole or part, on other websites and newsletters, any comments from this newsletter. This newsletter is not an official publication of the Township but is sent to residents requesting it as a public service by Trustee Paul G. Buescher exclusively, at his own expense and time.
