Trustees, Residents Debate Property Transfer for New Thompson Library

January 24, 2018 by John Karlovec

A proposed transfer of township-owned property for construction of a new Thompson branch of the Geauga County Public Library stirred a lively debate among Thompson Township Trustees and residents Jan. 17.

Trustee Erwin Leffel introduced a resolution calling for the transfer of all or part of approximately 4 acres of land just north of the square on state Route 528 — the old Thompson School building and football field — to GCPL for $0.

The library board would be responsible for all costs associated with the property transfer.

The library system would then build an approximately 6,000- to 8,000-square-foot building costing between $1.5 million and $3 million, depending on construction costs, Leffel said.

“That building is being supported by not only Thompson Township, but also the residents in the county who passed that bond issue,” added Leffel, referring to GCPL’s 0.5-mill levy that passed 11,891 to 11,532 in November.

Passage of Issue 4 will cost homeowners approximately $17 per $100,000 of property value.

“From that figure and the size of our community, all I can say is the support of residents of Geauga County is greatly appreciated,” Leffel said.

Transfer of the property — which was donated to the township — is permitted under Ohio Revised Code section 3375.11 because GCPL would render free public library services to township residents on the property.

It also would be in the township and residents’ best interest because construction of a library branch on the property would further the revitalization of the town square area, said Leffel, reading from the resolution.

The township would be permitted any future easements or access across the property, and it would be allowed to use any constructed driveways and parking lots for future township-sponsored activities outside of library hours.

In addition, Leffel proposed the library branch be named the Francis Spatz Leighton Public Library or would feature the Frances Spatz Leighton Room.

Leighton — daughter of Joseph Orstein, a Jewish farmer who immigrated to America from Poland during World War II — was a Thompson High School graduate who passed away in 2007 in Arlington, Va., at the age of 87. In her will, she named Thompson Township and the school district as beneficiaries of her estate, which included cash and property in several states.

Leffel said the northern edge of the transferred property would be left whole for the Thompson School Memory Area, which would be constructed in the spring of 2018.

After moving for adoption of his resolution, Leffel asked for a second.

Trustee Frank Sirna, however, first wanted to hear from residents before Leffel asked for a second on his motion.

“I think it’s great. We’ve lost our school. At least the township can act on this and get a library in here,” said Thompson Road resident Lew Moseley.

Ledge Road resident Beth West called the proposed transfer a “fantastic idea,” adding residents of the new assisted living community planned for the former Ledgemont High School building would use it.

“As a kid who grew up on that property, I can’t think of a better thing to use it for,” she said.

While Sirna made clear he supports a new library branch in Thompson, he strongly opposed giving away the acreage for nothing.

“I will support the library finding property for its building. I will work with them,” he said. “I will not support giving the library the property. It is valuable commercial frontage.”

He called giving the property to GCML for $0 “silly.”

Sirna said he has suggested other possible sites to GCPL.

“Why would I give away property of commercial value to a county entity that told me to my face and several others that they are going to build a (Thompson) branch . . . whether their bond issue passes or fails?” Sirna asked, adding he also wanted to know the GCPL’s capital improvement carryover for 2017.

“It sounds to me like the $24 million is icing on the cake,” Sirna said. “To turn over to the county library the only emergency available, valuable asset we own, really? I feel that would be viewed as fiscal irresponsibility by the residents. That property is valuable.”

The trustee also said he repeatedly has been told the township does not have money to pay for things.

“Now you’re asking me to support a motion to give away valuable property,” he said. “A motion to give away or sell township property must be much more detailed.”

Asked whether the township has received any viable offers for the property, Sirna retorted, “I bet you I can sell it for more than $0.”

He advocated selling GCPL a smaller piece of property to build a 7,500-square-foot building.

Sirna said GCPL Director Ed Worso told him and others “in a previous negotiation” he would pay $100,000 for 4 acres, but later retracted that price after being admonished by the library board.

“But he (Worso) would still purchase the property,” said Sirna.

“All I’m asking is we get some more details,” he added. “I’m not saying it can’t go there. I’m not going to give them all the property, because it’s not necessary.”

Leffel said selling GCPL a smaller piece would leave the other parcels landlocked. But Sirna said he has talked to people who might be interested in working with the township to get access to that land.

Sirna also questioned the naming of the branch.

“Once the property belongs to the library, it’s their property,” he said, asking Leffel if the library board had passed a resolution agreeing to name the branch after Leighton.

He called Leffel’s resolution — which the Geauga County Prosecutor’s Office drafted — “atrocious.”

“So, if you (Leffel) want to put it up for motion and you (Trustee Al Safick) want to second it, I have no control over it,” he added. “I’m all for it (a new library branch), but not this resolution.”

Trask Road resident Bill Reno agreed with Sirna.

“I think there’s a better place for that (library) around the square,” he said. “I think putting it there, you’re hiding it, you’re putting it in back of those homes. I think it needs to be out front where it can be seen. And there’s property around here that could be purchased for that.”

Reno added, “I agree with Frank. If you’re using a postage stamp inside an 8×10 piece of paper, and you’re giving them the whole paper, they’re going to keep that postage stamp and they can sell that (other) property, because you gave it to them. Now they’re going to make the profit off of it.”

In response to a question from Fire Chief Dan Robison, Sirna said he tried to have the property appraised, but “nobody wants to appraise dirt.”

“As a taxpayer, I think there should be some kind of value,” Robison said. “We asked our township residents to buy a $400,000 fire engine, which they did — and they’ve always supported the fire department, but they’ve supported it with their tax dollars. If this (property) is worth a lot, maybe it (sales proceeds) could go into the general fund and we wouldn’t have to ask that.”

According to a “makeshift” appraisal he prepared, Sirna said acreage price of recent sales ranges between $3,000 per acre to $50,000 to $60,000 per acre.

“I’m not even worried about the price, but I just feel I am letting you guys down if you give that money away,” he added.

Sirna agreed a new library would benefit the community culturally and socially.

“I’m telling you, I’m not against that. I’m for that. I’m against being stupid,” he said. “Is that plain enough?”

“I think this needs to go to another level,” Safick said, adding trustees need more input from the library board.

He suggested a joint public meeting be scheduled to discuss the project.

“OK,” said Leffel. “I will rescind the motion.”

RELATED STORY: COUNTY LIBRARY WILLING TO BUY PROPERTY FOR NEW THOMPSON BRANCH