Trustees file formal objection to Drug Mart annexation

by Chris Studor

Feb. 27 township trustees meeting

Trustees have retained the legal counsel of Alan Schrader, representing the firm of Roderick, Linton and Belfance, to file a formal objection to the petition for annexation to the city of Brunswick filed by Discount Drug Mart for the 5.2-acre parcel on the corner of W. 130th St. and state Route 303.

Once the board was notified by Medina County Commissioners in February that a petition for annexation had been filed, trustees had until March 27, or 15 days prior to the April 11 county hearing on the matter to file an objection according to state law.

Representatives for Discout Drug Mart asked the township to extend a community reinvestment area property tax abatement for the site last spring, however the board rejected the request at that time by a vote of 2-1. Trustee Jack Swedyk was the lone vote in favor of the request.

Trustee Monique Ascherl said at the time she does not favor tax abatement for large corporations and prefers it be reserved for “mom-and-pop-type” businesses that invest in Hinckley.

While Trustee Melissa Augustine initially rejected the request, she said she’s since changed her mind and believe trustees should offer a 100% tax abatement to be competitive with the city of Brunswick.

It was a night for township fire department promotions and appointments at the Feb. 27 trustee meeting. Pictured (left to right) are; Chief Jestin Grossenbaugh, Asst. Chief Shawn Barrett, new firefighter/paramedic Mariyah Balog and Lieutenants Tom Kolar and Jared Solomon. Photo by Chris Studor

In other business, trustees approved several firefighter appointments and promotions. Acting Fire Chief Shawn Barrett was named assistant fire chief, while Tom Kolar and Jared Solomon were promoted to lieutenants.

Ascherl also administered the oath of office to new firefighter Mariah Balog.

Additionally, Elisabeth Hiser, a stream ecologist with the Cleveland Metropark system, discussed several improvements Cleveland Metroparks would like to make at the end of Eastwood Road, near the entrance of Rising Valley.

Hiser said a significant degree of erosion has been noted as a result of a large amount of storm water flowing into the area and moving closer to the roadway. She said the park district is discussing a possible rerouting to preserve highly desirable wetlands in the area creating a storm water basin to slow the flow into the wetland. ∞