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GOSHEN TOWNSHIP--The board of trustees are considering the sale of a small park within the township.
The park, located at the corner of South Pricetown Road and First Street, is adjacent to popular Damascus restaurant G's Pizza World. According to Trustee Shawn Mesler that business owner expressed interest in purchasing the property from the township ahead of a planned expansion of the business.
"The owner contacted me to see if we be receptive at all to selling him that property," said Mesler.
Mesler noted that most residents aren't even aware that the .21-acre property is a park, and that many people believe the property is already owned by G's, as people will commonly purchase food from the restaurant and eat at the park. Trustees Teresa Stratton and John Bricker also said that they felt many residents were unaware of the true ownership of the property, with Bricker noting that the bulk of residents invested in the property had likely since left the area or passed away.
Mesler said that he and Fiscal Officer Michele Barratt had examined the deed for the property, originally donated to the township in 1993, and confirmed with the Mahoning County Recorder's office that there were no restrictions on the deed. Mesler also said that as the matter was still in its infancy thus far there had been no discussion regarding a potential price, noting that should the township be interested in a sale such a discussion would be required to take place in an executive session the matter would be a contractual property sale.
Mesler noted that were the property sold the township would no longer be responsible for the costs of maintenance for the property, totaling $600 to $800 annually, nor liable for any injuries that may occur at the property.
"It wouldn't hurt my feelings if we didn't mow it; it would hurt my feelings if we didn't empty the trash," said Mesler.
None of the trustees were personally opposed to the possibility of a sale but were unsure if the public would feel strongly about the sale.
"As I thought about it a lot, I didn't really know if it would upset anyone in the public," said Messler.
Ultimately trustees decided to table further discussion of the potential sale until their next meeting to allow time for public input, and encouraged residents who feel strongly on the matter to attend and share their opinions at their next meeting.
"If anybody is opposed, we'd like to hear from you," said Bricker.
The board of trustees will meet next 7 p.m. June 12.
mahart@mojonews.com