New playground approved for Sagamore Hills Park

by Laura Bednar

June 8 township trustees meeting

There will be a new playground site at Sagamore Hills Park, a project that trustee John Zaccardelli said has been a long time coming.

The township received a quote from Playground Equipment Services for $161,153, which includes the equipment, freight, installation and pour-in-place rubber surfacing. The township also plans to add three benches in the area for $3,508.

Sagamore Hills received a $39,605 NatureWorks grant through the Ohio Department of Natural Resources for the project, leaving the township to pay $125,056. The township is a member of Sourcewell state purchasing program, which allows it to forgo the bidding process.

To comply with the grant requirements, the playground will have an ADA-compliant ramp. Trustees voted to order the equipment, with installation dates to be determined.

The playground will include one large structure with slides, steps and a sliding pole. Separate pieces include a climbing structure, spinner and a two-bay swing set. It will be located to the right of the restrooms near the park entrance. Zaccardelli said that is the flattest spot in the park.

Sewer and stormwater fees

Fees for sewer and stormwater services from the Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District will increase every year from 2027-2031.

Sewer rates will increase by 2% annually with the 3-month rate rising to $133.35 in 2027; $136 in 2028; $138.70 in 2029; $141.45 in 2030; and $144.30.30 in 2031. These figures are per 1,000 cubic feet of water.

Stormwater fees are increasing by 4% in 2027 and 2028, and 3.5% in years 2029-2031. The monthly fee is rising from $11.85 in 2027 to $12.32 in 2028. It will cost $12.75 in 2029; $13.20 in 2030; and $13.66 in 2031.

Fire/EMS

Trustee David DePasquale said the township received a quote of $285,973 for a 2027 F550 cabin chassis and mounted box for one of the fire department’s ambulances. The work includes taking off the old box, repairing any broken doors and rewiring. It would take 110-130 days to complete. The repurposed box would be attached to the new chassis. DePasquale said the old box could be sold on the government surplus marketplace website, GovDeals.com.

Sagamore Hills had ordered a new ambulance in 2024 that still has not arrived, and delivery date has been pushed back to July 2027. Trustees agreed to ask the township attorney to see if they could get out of their agreement for this ambulance, as the cost is now in the $400,000s.

DePasquale said if they can’t get out of the agreement, the township could keep the new ambulance when it arrives to replace one with over 100,000 miles. Trustees will discuss further at a special meeting.

DePasquale said the Sagamore Hills fire department had provided more mutual aid to area departments in the past month. He said Macedonia Fire Chief Brian Ripley said some of the other departments are having staffing issues. DePasquale asked the chief to break down which stations are called for mutual aid for better tracking.

NHAA

DePasquale spoke with the president of the Nordonia Hills Athletic Association about landscaping updates on the baseball fields and potential equipment storage at Sagamore Hills Park.

The NHAA proposed sharing the cost of field updates and drainage with the township, as well as building a storage shed for the equipment used to maintain the fields. DePasquale said there is no place for a permanent building, but the NHAA could bring in a storage building on skids for easy maneuverability.

Trustees will discuss further after the NHAA submits a detailed proposal.

In other news

• Trustees approved the 2027 township budget of $13.9 million.
• Trustees will purchase a new cover for the township’s salt shed, measuring 50-by-124 feet. The cost is not to exceed $30,000.
• Township attorney Jeff Snell will attend a virtual meeting on June 23 with other area communities affected by the Route 82 Bridge construction. They will discuss the impact on cities and townships and discuss options for the future, including a potential new bridge.

Photo caption: Pictured is a rendering of the proposed new playground. Photo submitted.