Trustees reluctant to keep fighting Drug Mart annexation
by Melissa Martin
Nov. 7 township trustees meeting
Hinckley Township trustees indicated they are reluctant to appeal the annexation of 5 acres at the southeast corner of state Route 303 and W. 130th Street from the township to Brunswick after the Medina County Court of Common Pleas dismissed the case.
Medina County commissioners approved annexation of the property, which is expected to become home to a new Drug Mart in June. The township went to court, but Judge Bill Hutson affirmed the commissioners’ decision.
“Upon consideration of the entire record of proceedings provided to the court in this matter, as well as the arguments of the parties, the court finds the [commissioners’] decision is properly based upon consideration of all the evidence and law presented,” Hutson said.
Trustee Jack Swedyk told the board he does not see any benefit in moving forward with another appeal.
“We’ve already invested $30,000 in the effort,” he said. “It seems pretty clear that attempting to do an appeal to further it would not be successful.”
Trustee Monique Ascherl said she had mixed feelings, because an appeal would be heard in the 9th District Court of Appeals. She pointed out that Al Schrader, township attorney in the matter, recently represented Eaton Township in a similar annexation appeal and won.
“I don’t have my crystal ball so I’m not sure how it would turn out, but it just makes me wonder,” Ascherl said. “We would be going before the same court that he already went to and presented this exact same argument and won.”
Trustee Melissa Augustine asked the board to meet with Schrader before making a final decision to determine what the township’s best course of action should be. Fiscal Officer Martha Catherwood agreed.
“I think it’s incumbent on you to meet with him because you’re going to have to get an idea of what his estimated costs are going to be pursuing this,” Catherwood said.
Swedyk said he would set up a meeting between Schrader and the trustees.
Trustees authorized the fire department to spend up to $3,500 to purchase 14 sections of fire hose in 50-foot segments.
Fire Chief Jestin Grossenbaugh said the township applied for grant funding the past two years to help pay for the hose. However, neither application was accepted. Accordingly, the money will come out of the department’s annual budget.
Grossenbaugh announced the department will conduct its annual Boot Drive in the center of town on Saturday, Nov. 25, from 9 a.m.-1 p.m.
He said the annual Santa parade will take place from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 17. A map of the parade route will be posted on social media. ∞