Hinckley hires full-time zoning inspector

by Melissa Martin

July 2 township trustees meeting

The Hinckley Township Board of Trustees hired a full-time zoning inspector to address the township’s growing pains more efficiently.

The move comes a few months after trustees elected to change the position from part time to full time in response to a recent increase in zoning-related inspections throughout the township.

“As the needs of the community grow and change, we need to grow and change with them,” Trustee Cyntia Engleman said during an April discussion.

In accordance with the changes, the township’s part-time zoning inspector Tom Wilson, who has served the department since 2016, resigned, effective July 8. Wilson said he has elected to take another zoning inspector position in Eaton Township because he did not want to make the switch to full-time employment in Hinckley.

Wilson has agreed, however, to work with the township during the transition to new Zoning Inspector Nicole Blunk, whose appointment was unanimously approved by the board of trustees during the meeting. Trustees approved a motion to hire Wilson as an independent contractor at a rate of $22.47 per hour on an as-needed basis through Aug. 31.

Blunk, trustees said, brings with her several years of experience working in similar zoning capacities. She was previously employed as a city planner for Cleveland Heights and a housing manager for the city of Brooklyn, Ohio. She is credited for having a background in zoning inspections and zoning administration and has experience in grant applications and working with geographic information systems.

Blunk will be paid $26.50 per hour and will begin working for the township July 22, Engleman said.

In other news, trustees unanimously approved the hiring of Lewis Landscaping and Nursery Inc. to perform infield renovations to Kobak Field No. 2 at a cost of $10,000.

Trustees also indicated they plan to submit a request to the Medina County Engineer that the township be considered for an Ohio Public Works Commission grant for the next phase of Brookside Estates improvements. Once the township receives a response from the county, trustees would then be able to move forward with the grant application process. ∞