In a split vote, Munson Township Trustees resolved to spend $1,700 on an appraisal of property at the southeast corner of the intersection of Mayfield and Bass Lake roads.
In a split vote, Munson Township Trustees resolved to spend $1,700 on an appraisal of property at the southeast corner of the intersection of Mayfield and Bass Lake roads.
The 48.3 acres of unimproved land abuts the Munson Township Park behind Munson Elementary School on Bass Lake Road. The parcel is partially wooded and partially an overgrown field that includes at least one pond, according to the Geauga County Auditor’s Office website.
A dilapidated structure still stands on the property owned by NEROCO Ohio LLC, which acquired the parcel in 2006 for $755,500, according to the auditor’s office.
Trustee Jim McCaskey, who noted purchasing some of the property was a “long shot,” proposed the appraisal.
“It just gives us something to talk about. It could be a shot in the dark or a home run,” he said.
In a phone conversation March 2, he said he did not mean the township should buy the whole parcel. Six or 7 acres on the south side of the parcel, which is zoned for residential use, would suffice for the park’s needs and be a good investment, he said, adding the northern section of the parcel is zoned commercial.
Trustee Nate McDonald voted in favor of the appraisal and suggested if the property was purchased, part of it could provide additional parking spaces for the baseball, softball and soccer fields in the park.
“It would be great to have a parking lot that could accommodate everyone,” he said, adding trustees could use some of the township’s remaining American Rescue Plan Act funds of about $500,000 for the purchase if an agreement could be reached with the owner. As the parent of a child who plays baseball, McDonald said parking at the fields is a problem.
“It would be a strategic move. A lot of residents use that park. We’d like them to use it more,” he said.
Resident Glen Kinter agreed.
“Parking, at times, is atrocious. We do need to look at extending that parking lot,” he said, adding the pavilion can’t be rented during ball season because of the lack of parking.
“I have been there when cars have been parking on Bass Lake Road,” he said.
Trustee Andy Bushman opposed the appraisal and said the problem with parking occurred in the past when soccer games coincided with baseball or softball games.
If the scheduling conflict is resolved, the 120 parking spaces are sufficient, he said.
The fields are leased by Chardon High School for Little League games throughout the season and non-league teams also play there, McCaskey said.
The fees paid for use of the fields are used only for maintenance of the facilities, Bushman said.
Earlier in the meeting, trustees voted unanimously to contract with Innovative Landscaping LLC, of Chester Township, to handle ballfield maintenance for the five fields at Munson Township Park and near the Munson Township Community Building on Auburn Road.
Two quotes were received. The Innovative bid was $1,635 per field and P. Ianiro Lawn and Garden Landscaping, of Munson Township, bid $2,035. Both bids included dragging the fields during the off-season. The leagues take care of dragging the infields during the season, McCaskey said.
The bids did not include the softball fields, said township Road Superintendent Kirk Walker.
Trustees also voted unanimously to adopt a resolution prohibiting adult-use cannabis operations in the township. In November, Ohio voters approved legalizing production and sale of marijuana products McDonald said, adding he checked the election results and found Munson Township voters, specifically, turned Issue 2 down.
