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GREENFORD - Green Township trustees last week took another stand in its battle against the loss of property through eminent domain.
Trustees submitted a letter of support to state Rep. Al Cutrona for House Bill 63, which is a revision of the eminent domain laws. The bill provides township trustees and municipal legislative boards to veto appropriations for use of a recreational trail made by a public agency not elected by the public.
Ttrustees in November hired attorney Carl James to represent the township in its fight against the Mill Creek MetroParks eminent domain lawsuit. James also represents resident Diane Less, who is also fighting the suit.
The MetroParks has targeted one acre of property on Calla Road where the expansion will curve around the railbed, which is the only access drive for a home there. Township officials originally believed the MetroParks wanted a right of way, but received paperwork last year requesting to purchase the whole acre at approximately $1,000 less than the township paid for it more than 30 years ago. Trustees rejected that offer.
The MetroParks then submitted a revised offer that included just the right of way, but wanted the township to donate it. Trustees also rejected that offer after receiving legal advice that indicated the offer was poorly written.
Several property owners in the township are also engaged in court action to prevent the eminent domain acquisition along the proposed trail.
The MetroParks Bikeway is one section of the proposed 100-mile Great Ohio Lake to River Greenway, a developing corridor that will allow trail users to travel from Lake Erie to the Ohio River. The MetroParks trail runs along the old Niles and Lisbon Branch of the Erie Railroad Company railroad bed and currently ends at Western Reserve Road. The proposed expansion would run along the west side of Washingtonville Road and connect with the Greenway Bike Trail in Washingtonville in Columbiana County.
In other business, trustees approved $3,700 for a flat trailer, $12,475 for a 2021 Kobota lawnmower and $2,743.64 for Zinz Construction to complete repairs in the post office building.
Trustees also approved the disposal of a 2006 ambulance through sealed bid auction with a minimum of $10,000.
Also at the meeting, Todd Baird, township administrator and fire chief, reported he applied for $185,750 through a FEMA grant for 25 SCBA packs and 25 spare bottles. The local share of the grant, if granted, will be $8,845.24.
Baird also reported Sam Durr will be installing three garage doors at the fire hall and Stratton will complete the electrical work, the cost to be covered by through the department's fundraising.
The next regular trustees meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. March 23 at the community building.
khowell@salemnews.net